Louisiana does not have overtime laws that are different from federal overtime law.

Louisiana does not have any laws establishing a state minimum wage. Therefore, the federal minimum wage applies, which is $7.25 per hour, or $2.13 per hour for tipped workers.

In 1997, Louisiana passed a law that stops any cities or counties in the state from passing their own minimum wage laws. Therefore, the federal minimum of $7.25 per hour, or $2.13 per hour for tipped workers, applies across the state.

Louisiana does not have any meal or rest break requirements for employees aged 18 or older. However, Louisiana requires that employees younger than 18 must be given a 30-minute break if they are employed five or more hours in a day.

You cannot file a wage/hour or labor standards claim in Louisiana unless you have worked and not received your pay. Louisiana employees who are laid off, fired, or who quit must be paid their wages in full at the next regular payday, not to exceed 15 days from the date of their discharge or termination. Wages include vacation time earned by the employee. An employee should send a written demand for payment of their final wages to their employer. After receipt of a written demand, the employer must pay all wages owed to the employee on a timely basis or be subject to a penalty that may be imposed by a court. Claims against an employer for late payment may be filed by way of a private lawsuit. The Louisiana Department of Labor does not have the authority to enforce this law.

If you have a wage/hour complaint, do not delay in contacting an attorney. There are strict time limits in which federal wage claims must be filed.

Louisiana Workforce Commission
1001 North 23^rd Street
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
Phone: (225) 343-3111

Office of Workers’ Compensation Administration
P.O. Box 94040
Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9040
Phone: (225) 342-7555
Fax: (225) 342-5665
Email: owca@lwc.la.gov