Louisiana Employment Discrimination Law covers employers with 20+ employees. Non-deferral state with no state FEP agency; employees file directly in state court with a 1-year deadline.
At-Will
Yes
Right-to-Work
Yes
EEOC Deferral
180 days
Min. Wage
$7.25
La. Rev. Stat. §§ 23:301-23:369
The Louisiana Employment Discrimination Law prohibits employment discrimination based on age (40+), race, color, religion, sex, disability, national origin, pregnancy, childbirth, sickle cell trait, and genetic information. Unlike most states, Louisiana does not have a state Fair Employment Practices (FEP) agency, making it a non-deferral state with a 180-day EEOC filing deadline. Employees must file claims directly in state district court within a one-year prescriptive period. The law applies to employers with 20 or more employees for most claims.
Protected Classes
Key Provisions
Remedies
New Orleans Municipal Code Ch. 86
New Orleans's human rights ordinance is especially important because Louisiana has limited state-level employment anti-discrimination protections. The ordinance includes sexual orientation and gender identity protections and covers all employers with 1 or more employees.
Protected Classes
These federal statutes protect workers nationwide, including in Louisiana. Louisiana is a non-deferral state — the EEOC filing deadline is 180 days.
Our free assessment identifies applicable federal, state, and local protections based on your specific circumstances.
Check My RightsThis information is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.Louisiana laws are subject to legislative changes. Consult a qualified employment attorney in Louisiana for advice about your specific situation. Last reviewed: February 2025.