Louisiana Employment Law — full calculator

Frequently Asked Questions

• When must a Louisiana employer pay a final paycheck after firing an employee?

  Under La. R.S. 23:631 (as of 2026), a Louisiana employer must pay all earned wages by the next regular payday or within 15 days of the discharge date, whichever comes first. This is stricter than the federal FLSA, which sets no specific final-paycheck deadline.

• What is the penalty if a Louisiana employer fails to pay a final paycheck on time?

  Under La. R.S. 23:632, the employer is liable for the lesser of: (1) 90 days of the employee's wages at their daily rate, or (2) wages continuing to run from the date of the employee's written demand until payment is made. The court may also award reasonable attorney fees if the employee files suit three or more days after making a written demand.

• Does Louisiana require employers to pay out accrued vacation in the final paycheck?

  Not automatically. Louisiana only requires payment of accrued vacation if the employee earned and accrued it under the employer's written policy and has not already received it (La. R.S. 23:631). If no policy provides for payout, the employer is not obligated to include unused PTO.

• Are non-compete agreements enforceable in Louisiana?

  Yes, but only if they strictly comply with La. R.S. 23:921 (as of 2026). The agreement must specifically name each parish or municipality where competition is restricted — a radius-based restriction (e.g., '50-mile radius') is automatically void. The duration cannot exceed two years from the termination of employment.

• What makes a Louisiana non-compete agreement void?

  A Louisiana non-compete agreement is void if it: (1) defines the geographic area by radius rather than by named parishes or municipalities, (2) lasts longer than two years from the end of employment, or (3) prohibits work beyond the employer's type of business. Louisiana courts will not rewrite (blue-pencil) a defective agreement — one flaw voids the entire contract.

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

  No. Louisiana has no state overtime law for private-sector employees. The federal FLSA applies: overtime is required at 1.5 times the regular rate for hours worked over 40 in a workweek. There is no daily overtime threshold or 7th-day rule in Louisiana (as of 2026).

• What is the minimum wage in Louisiana in 2026?

  Louisiana has no state minimum wage law. The federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour applies. Tipped employees may be paid a direct cash wage as low as $2.13 per hour under the federal tip credit, provided total compensation (tips included) reaches at least $7.25 per hour.

• Does Louisiana require meal or rest breaks for employees?

  No. Louisiana has no state law mandating meal or rest breaks for adult employees. The federal FLSA is also silent on this. Any break policy is employer-discretionary, though paid short breaks under 20 minutes must count as hours worked under FLSA.

• Is there a paid sick leave law in Louisiana?

  No. Louisiana has no statewide paid sick leave mandate for private-sector employees as of 2026. Employers may offer sick leave voluntarily, but it is not required by Louisiana state law.

• How should an employee demand an overdue final paycheck in Louisiana?

  Send a written demand (certified mail or email with delivery confirmation) requesting all unpaid wages. Under La. R.S. 23:632, the penalty clock runs from the date of this written demand. If the employer does not pay within three days of the demand, the employee may file suit and potentially recover attorney fees in addition to wage penalties.