Louisiana Labor Laws: A Complete Guide to Wages, Breaks, Overtime, and More (2025)

Louisiana currently follows the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour, as the state does not have its own minimum wage law. Recent legislative proposals aim to increase this wage, with House Bill 431 and Senate Bill 173 suggesting an increase to $10 per hour in 2025, eventually reaching $14 by 2029. Alternatively, Senate Bill 180 proposes a minimum wage of $10.25 per hour, with annual inflation adjustments and provisions for tipped workers. These initiatives reflect efforts to tackle economic disparities and enhance living conditions for low-income workers in the state.

Public Works Projects: Louisiana adheres to the federal Davis-Bacon Act, which requires that workers on federal and certain state-funded construction projects be paid prevailing wages. These wages are determined based on surveys of wage rates paid in the locality where the work is performed.

• On Davis-Bacon projects, workers must be paid at least once a week.
• If a contractor works on a contract covered by the Davis-Bacon Act and the wage determination does not include a rate for a specific job classification, the necessary classification and wage rate must be added in accordance with the contract wage determination. This process is known as conformance.

For more information, visit the Louisiana Workforce Commission.

Health and Safety Standards in LA

In Louisiana, health and safety standards are primarily governed by federal regulations under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), as the state does not have its own OSHA-approved plan. Here are the key components of health and safety standards currently in effect in Louisiana:

In Louisiana, employers must…

• Maintain a Safe Workplace: Employers are required to furnish a “reasonably safe” work environment, including necessary safety devices and safeguards to protect the health and welfare of employees (La. Rev. Stat. § 23:13).
• Post Health and Safety Information: Relevant health and safety information must be prominently displayed where employees can easily access it, including OSHA regulations and workplace safety procedures.
• Report Workplace Incidents: Employers must report any workplace fatalities to OSHA within 8 hours and any inpatient hospitalizations, amputations, or losses of an eye within 24 hours.

In Louisiana, employees should…

• Familiarize Themselves with Safety Protocols: Employees should be aware of posted safety documents and procedures at their workplace to ensure compliance with safety standards.
• Follow Safety Guidelines: Employees are expected to adhere to all safety guidelines established by their employer to maintain a safe working environment.
• Report Unsafe Conditions: Unsafe working conditions should be reported immediately through designated channels, ensuring prompt attention to potential hazards.

Report health and safety violations (unsafe working conditions) in Louisiana to…

Employees:

• Louisiana Workforce Commission
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Website

Employers:

• Louisiana Workforce Commission
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Website

Anti-Discrimination Laws in Louisiana

In Louisiana, several laws prohibit discrimination against individuals in the workplace. These include Louisiana Employment Discrimination Law (LEDL), and Executive Order 2016-11 by Governor John Bel Edwards. These laws protect various classes of people from unfair treatment based on specific characteristics.

Employers in Louisiana may not discriminate against job applicants based on…

• Race
• Color
• Religion
• Sex
• National Origin
• Age (specifically for individuals aged 40 and older)
• Disability (including perceived disabilities)
• Pregnancy (for employers with 25 or more employees)
• Genetic Information
• Military Status (including veterans)
• Natural, Cultural, or Protective Hairstyles (protected under the CROWN Act)
• Sexual Orientation and Political Views/Political Affiliations (though protections for sexual orientation are less comprehensive and vary by locality)

Employee Resignation or Termination in LA

Louisiana operates under an at-will employment principle, allowing either the employer or employee to terminate the employment relationship at any time, for any reason, as long as it isn’t discriminatory or retaliatory.

When an employee is terminated, employers must issue their final paycheck by the next regular payday or within 15 days of termination, regardless of the circumstances surrounding the end of employment. Similarly, if an employee resigns, their final paycheck must also be provided within the same timeframe.

Although Louisiana does not require a formal termination letter, employers must submit a separation notice (LWC-77) to the Louisiana Workforce Commission within 72 hours of an employee’s departure, detailing the reason for separation and eligibility for unemployment benefits.

In cases of wage disputes upon termination, employers are obligated to pay any undisputed wages, while employees retain the right to pursue claims for any disputed amounts.

Unemployment Benefits in LA

Workers in Louisiana are eligible for unemployment benefits if they:

• Are unemployed through no fault of their own.
• Have earned at least $1,200 during their base period.
• Meet the requirement of having total earnings at least 1.5 times their highest quarter earnings.
• Are registered for work, able and available to work, and actively seeking employment each week.

Use this website to start your application for unemployment benefits in Louisiana: Louisiana Workforce Commission.

COBRA Benefits in LA

Separated employees in Louisiana may extend employer-provided health care coverage through COBRA, which stipulates…

• Continuation of Coverage: Individuals in Louisiana are eligible for COBRA continuation coverage if they were covered by a group health plan sponsored by their employer before a qualifying event, such as termination or a reduction in hours. This applies to employees of companies with 20 or more employees. Louisiana also offers a state-specific program, Louisiana Continuation Coverage, for businesses with 2 to 19 employees.
• Duration of Coverage: Eligible individuals can maintain their group health insurance for up to 18 months under COBRA. Louisiana’s state continuation program allows coverage for up to 12 months for employees of smaller employers, with dependents potentially covered for up to 36 months under certain circumstances.
• Cost of Coverage: Individuals opting for COBRA are generally required to pay the full premium costs plus a 2% administrative fee. For Louisiana’s state continuation coverage, the cost is typically 102% of the premium. Average monthly premiums can range from $400 to $700, depending on the health plan.
• Election Period: The election period for COBRA benefits in Louisiana is 60 days from the qualifying event or from the notification of continuation rights, whichever is later. During this time, eligible individuals must decide whether to enroll.
• Loss of Coverage: COBRA coverage ends if premiums are not paid on time, if the employer terminates the group health plan, or if the individual becomes eligible for Medicare or another group health plan. Understanding these conditions is crucial to avoid unexpected loss of coverage.Use this website to start your application for COBRA benefits in Louisiana: COBRA Louisiana Insurance.

Final Paychecks in LA

Separated employees in Louisiana must receive their final paychecks in accordance with state law, which outlines specific requirements for timely payment:

• Payment Timing: Employers must pay final paychecks to employees who resign within 15 days of their resignation or on the next regularly scheduled payday, whichever comes first. For terminated employees, the final paycheck must also be issued within 15 days of termination or on the next scheduled payday.Contents of Final Paycheck: The final paycheck must include all wages earned up to the termination date, including any accrued but unused vacation pay if the employer has a relevant policy. Employers cannot withhold any part of the final paycheck except for legally required deductions, such as taxes, or those expressly consented to by the employee.Payment Methods: Final paychecks must be delivered in the same manner as regular wages, whether through direct deposit, check, or another method. If an employee is not present to receive their final paycheck, it may be mailed to their last known address.

Minimum Wage Changes for Federal Contractors

Louisiana adheres to the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour, with no state-specific increase planned for 2025. However, the minimum wage for federal contractors will rise from $17.20 to $17.75 starting January 1, 2025, as mandated by Executive Order 14026.

Overtime Exemption Salary Increase

The Department of Labor’s new rule will raise the salary threshold for overtime exemptions to $1,128 per week (or $58,656 annually) on January 1, 2025. This increase is part of a phased implementation that began in 2024 and is subject to ongoing legal challenges that could affect its enforcement.