Louisiana Employment Law — full calculator

Frequently Asked Questions

• Does Louisiana have its own overtime law beyond the federal FLSA?

  No. Louisiana does not have a separate state overtime law. Employers follow the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), which requires overtime pay at 1.5× the regular rate for hours worked beyond 40 per workweek. Louisiana's Workforce Commission does not enforce overtime independently — enforcement is handled federally by the U.S. Department of Labor.

• What is Louisiana's final paycheck deadline?

  Under Louisiana RS 23:631 (as of 2026), employers must pay all final wages by whichever comes first: the next regular payday for the pay cycle in which the separation occurred, or 15 calendar days after the separation date. This rule applies equally to employees who were fired and those who resigned.

• Are non-compete agreements enforceable in Louisiana?

  Louisiana non-compete agreements are enforceable only if they strictly comply with all requirements of RS 23:921: the restriction must be no longer than two years from the end of the employment, must name specific parishes or municipalities where competition is prohibited, must involve a recognized relationship type (employer-employee, buyer-seller of goodwill, partnership, franchisor-franchisee, or LLC-member), and must limit the restriction to a 'similar business.' Courts apply no reasonableness test — strict statutory compliance is required.

• What is the maximum duration for a non-compete in Louisiana?

  Louisiana RS 23:921 caps non-compete agreements at two years (24 months) from the date of termination of the employment or other qualifying relationship. Agreements exceeding two years are void and unenforceable under Louisiana law.

• Does Louisiana require employers to provide meal or rest breaks?

  Louisiana does not mandate meal or rest breaks for adult workers (age 18+). The state defaults to the federal FLSA, which is also silent on break requirements. Employers may voluntarily provide breaks, but short breaks of 20 minutes or less must be paid under federal FLSA guidance. For minor workers under age 16, Louisiana requires a 30-minute unpaid meal break when working 5 or more consecutive hours.

• Is there a state paid sick leave law in Louisiana?

  No. As of 2026, Louisiana has no state-mandated paid or unpaid sick leave law for private-sector employees. Whether workers receive sick days depends entirely on the employer's written policy. Louisiana is among the majority of U.S. states that have not enacted statewide paid sick leave legislation.

• What is Louisiana's minimum wage in 2026?

  Louisiana has no state minimum wage law. Private-sector employers default to the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour (as of 2026). Tipped employees are subject to the federal tipped minimum wage of $2.13 per hour, provided tips bring them to at least $7.25. Some municipalities may have higher rates — check local ordinances.

• Does a non-compete agreement in Louisiana need to name specific parishes?

  Yes. This is one of the strict requirements under Louisiana RS 23:921. The agreement must identify the specific parishes or municipalities where the employee is prohibited from competing. Courts have ruled that general or statewide restrictions without naming specific parishes are void. Employees cannot waive this right in advance.