Louisiana employers are often surprised to learn that the state does require some paid jury duty leave, but that requirement is far more limited than many people assume. Here's what Louisiana law actually says—and just as importantly, what it does not say.

The Short Answer

Yes—but only for one day.

Under Louisiana law, employers must pay an employee for up to one day of jury duty, and only in certain circumstances. Any additional days of jury service are not required by statute to be paid.

What Louisiana Law Requires

Louisiana Revised Statutes § 23:965 governs jury duty obligations for employers. The statute provides that an employee who is regularly employed in Louisiana and is called or subpoenaed to serve on a state petit jury, state grand jury, or a central jury pool must be granted a leave of absence of up to one day for jury service.

Critically, that one day of leave must be provided without loss of wages and without requiring the employee to use sick leave, personal leave, or any other accrued benefit.

If the employee serves for only one day, the employer must pay the employee their regular wages for that day.

What the Law Does Not Require

The statute is explicit in limiting the paid leave obligation to one day. If jury service lasts longer than one day, Louisiana law does not require employers to continue paying wages for the additional days.

Employers may, of course, choose to offer paid jury duty leave beyond one day as a matter of policy, but that obligation does not come from Louisiana law.

Penalties for Failing to Pay the Required Day

Louisiana law includes enforcement provisions for employers who fail to comply.

An employer who violates the statute may be required to:

• Pay the employee their full wages for one day of jury service (without reducing leave balances), and

• Pay a fine ranging from $100 to $500 for each offense.

Protection Against Retaliation

In addition to the wage requirement, Louisiana law also protects employees from retaliation related to jury service.

An employer may not discharge or otherwise take an adverse employment action against an employee without cause because the employee was called to serve or is serving on jury duty. Employees are required to notify their employer of the jury summons within a reasonable time before reporting for service.

Louisiana courts have confirmed that terminating an employee because of jury service—rather than legitimate performance-related reasons—violates this protection.

Bottom Line for Louisiana Employers

If your Louisiana employee is called for jury duty:

• You must allow them time off to serve.

• You must pay them their regular wages for up to one day of jury service.

• You may not require them to use accrued leave for that day.

• You may not retaliate against them for serving on a jury.

Anything beyond that one paid day is governed by your company's internal policies—not Louisiana law.

If you're unsure whether your current employment policies comply with Louisiana's jury duty requirements, it's worth reviewing them now, before a jury summons turns into an employment dispute.  Schedule a consult today.