Louisiana Employment Contract Template
Reviewed by the Agiled editorial teamUpdated June 2026
An employment contract written for Louisiana has to get four state-specific things right: the final-paycheck deadline (which differs for firings and resignations), the pay schedule, break requirements, and whether a non-compete clause will actually hold up. This page covers those rules; the download is our standard employment agreement, ready to be filled in with Louisiana terms.
Louisiana employment rules at a glance
| Final paycheck (terminated) | Next payday or within 15 days, whichever is earlier |
|---|---|
| Final paycheck (resigned) | Next payday or within 15 days, whichever is earlier |
| Minimum pay frequency | Semi-monthly (certain industries) |
| Meal / rest breaks | No adult requirement (minors under 18: 30 minutes per 5 hours) |
| Non-compete clauses | Void by default; enforceable only if it lists specific parishes/municipalities and runs 2 years or less. |
State laws change frequently and this summary is not legal advice. Verify current rules against the state statute or with a licensed attorney before relying on them.
How Louisiana handles employment contracts
Louisiana inverts the national rule: non-competes are void unless they satisfy the statute — including naming the specific parishes where they apply. An agreement that says 'within 50 miles' instead of naming parishes fails entirely. For the contract itself, the state-sensitive clauses are the ones above: when the final paycheck is due (next payday or within 15 days, whichever is earlier on termination), how often wages must be paid, and whether a non-compete is worth the paper it's on. Verify current rules with the state labor department — wage statutes change yearly.
Louisiana employment contract FAQs
When is the final paycheck due in Louisiana if an employee is fired?
Next payday or within 15 days, whichever is earlier. Missing a final-pay deadline triggers waiting-time or statutory penalties in many states, so the payroll clause in the contract should match the statute, not the company's normal cycle.
When is the final paycheck due in Louisiana if an employee quits?
Next payday or within 15 days, whichever is earlier. Resignation and termination deadlines differ in several states — write both into the offer letter or handbook so payroll never has to guess.
Are non-compete agreements enforceable in Louisiana?
Void by default; enforceable only if it lists specific parishes/municipalities and runs 2 years or less. Also note the FTC's attempted federal ban remains tied up in litigation, so state law continues to control.
Is Louisiana an at-will employment state?
Yes. Like every state except Montana, Louisiana follows at-will employment: either party may end the relationship at any time, for any lawful reason. The employment contract can narrow this (notice periods, severance, for-cause definitions) — which is precisely why the termination clause matters.
The full employment contract guide
Clause-by-clause guidance, common mistakes, and the complete template text live on the main page: Employment Contract Template — full guide and download.