The Louisiana Labor Law Guide

Minimum wage is the lowest hourly rate an employer is legally obligated to pay employees. The federal rate sets a floor, and states, cities, and regions can adopt their own.

Louisiana does not have a state minimum wage law. Employers subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) must follow the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour.

Local cities generally do not set their own higher rates for private employers.

Tipped minimum wage is the lowest hourly cash wage for employees who earn a big share of their pay through tips.

Louisiana follows the federal FLSA standards for tipped employees. Employers may pay a cash wage of $2.13 per hour, as long as the employee's tips plus the cash wage equal at least the federal minimum wage ($7.25 per hour). If they do not, the employer must make up the difference.

Louisiana has no state overtime law. Employers must follow the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), which generally requires non-exempt employees to receive 1.5 times their regular rate for all hours worked over 40 in a workweek.

Minors (under 16)

Minors under 16 must receive a meal period of at least 30 minutes after working 5 consecutive hours.

Adults

There are no state laws requiring meal or rest breaks for adult employees, and federal law does not require them either.

If an employer chooses to provide breaks:

• Rest breaks (about 5 to 20 minutes) must be paid.
• Bona fide meal periods (typically 30 minutes or more) need not be paid if the employee is completely relieved of duty.

Vacation leave

Louisiana law does not require employers to provide paid vacation. If an employer's policy provides paid vacation and the employee has earned vacation under that policy, accrued unused vacation must be paid out at termination.

Paid sick leave

There is no state requirement that private employers provide paid or unpaid sick leave. Local ordinances (for example, New Orleans) may impose requirements for certain employers.

Holidays

Louisiana does not require private employers to provide paid holidays, unpaid holiday leave, or premium pay for working a holiday.

General overview

Louisiana child labor laws are governed by La. R.S. 23:151 to 23:258. Employers must generally obtain and keep an Employment Certificate (work permit) on file for all employed minors.

Minimum working age

• Under 12: employment is prohibited.
• Ages 12-13: permitted to work only if the minor's parent or guardian is an owner or partner of the business, the minor is directly supervised by them, and all work-hour restrictions for 14-year-olds are followed. A special permit is required.
• Ages 14+: general employment is permitted, subject to hour and occupation restrictions.

Work hours and scheduling

Minors ages 14-15:

• School days: max 3 hours per day.
• School weeks: max 18 hours per week.
• Non-school days: max 8 hours per day.
• Non-school weeks: max 40 hours per week.
• Work window: 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM the day before a school day, and 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM the day before a non-school day.
• Cannot work more than 6 consecutive days in one week.
• Must receive a 30-minute unpaid meal break after working 5 consecutive hours.

Minors ages 16-17:

• Curfew (school nights): 16-year-olds are prohibited from working between 11:00 PM and 5:00 AM before a school day; 17-year-olds are prohibited from working between 12:00 AM (midnight) and 5:00 AM before a school day.
• Non-school nights: no hour limitations on days not followed by a school day.
• These hour restrictions do not apply to minors who have graduated high school.

Prohibited and hazardous occupations

Minors are restricted from working in specific dangerous environments, including but not limited to:

• Machinery: oiling or cleaning machinery; operating power-driven woodworking, bakery, or hoisting machines (elevators).
• Heavy industry: mining, logging, excavation, or explosive manufacturing.
• Alcohol: employment in establishments where alcohol sales are the main business is prohibited, unless the minor is a musician with a written contract under parental supervision.
• Driving: prohibited generally, with limited exceptions for 17-year-olds (driving cannot exceed 20% of work time per week).
• Other: commercial motion picture and modeling work has specific extended hour allowances (up to 48 hours per week).

Administrative requirements

Employers must keep an employment certificate for each minor on record. The minor obtains it from the parish or city school superintendent, and it must be signed in front of the Louisiana Workforce Commission (LWC).