Louisiana Pay Period and Frequency Laws

Various labor laws and regulations are in effect across the United States. Some federal laws apply to all states, but no law is in place around pay period and frequency on a nationwide level. Explore the requirements around the schedule for paying employees in Louisiana.

Does Louisiana Have Pay Period and Frequency Laws That Differ from Federal Laws?

Yes, there are pay period and frequency laws in effect in Louisiana that differ from federal laws. They apply to specific industries and classifications.

How Often Do Employers Need to Pay Employees in Louisiana?

Pay frequency requirements depend on the industry and other factors. Employers operating in the manufacturing, oil drilling, mining, and public service sectors must pay employees either semi-monthly or bi-weekly. This requirement applies to oil and mining businesses with 10+ employees and all public service employers.

Non-exempt employees in other industries must be paid on (or as close as possible to) the 1^st and 16^th day of each month, unless the employer designates specific pay periods. Exempt employees (as defined by the FLSA) are not required to be paid at this frequency.

How Long After a Pay Period Must Wage be Paid in Louisiana?

State law doesn’t dictate how long after the end of a pay period an employer has to issue wages, although it must occur twice per month (in most cases). If the employer doesn’t designate specific pay periods, pay should be issued as close to the 1^st and 16^th of each month as possible.

What Are the Penalties to Employers for Late Paychecks in Louisiana?

Penalties for violating Louisiana pay period and frequency laws may include a fine of between $25 and $250 per day, and imprisonment of no less than 10 days.

What Are the Paycheck Requirements for An Employee Whose Employment Has Been Terminated?

A terminated employee must receive their final paycheck by the next scheduled payday or within 15 days of the termination (whichever is first).

Are There Any Municipalities or Cities in Louisiana That Have Differing Pay Period or Pay Frequency Laws?

No city-specific laws are in place around pay period or frequency in Louisiana.

Are There Any Other Laws in Louisiana Regarding Pay Periods and Pay Frequency?

Employers in Louisiana are required to post a notice with all other state and federal law notices issued by the Louisiana Workforce Commission. It states:

“Your employer has a duty to inform you at the time of your hire what your wage rate will be, how often you will be paid and how you will be paid, and of any subsequent changes thereto.  If your employer should, for reasons within his control, fail to pay you according to that agreement, you must first lodge a complaint with him.  If no action is taken to resolve your complaint, you may report the violation to the office of workforce development within the Louisiana Workforce Commission.”

Accurate hours are critical to accurate paychecks. An automated time and labor platform like WorkforceHub streamlines how you collect employee time data. Integrations with top payroll platforms ensure that employees receive the proper pay for hours worked. Plus, you can set up pay periods within the platform that comply with Louisiana regulations.