Are employers allowed to set a different hourly wage for part-time and full-time employees?

Yes, employers in Louisiana are allowed to set a different hourly wage for part-time and full-time employees. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) does not require employers to pay part-time and full-time employees the same hourly rate. However, the FLSA does require employers to pay both groups at least the federal minimum wage and overtime pay when applicable. In 2019, the federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour and overtime pay is 1.5 times the regular rate of pay for any hours worked beyond 40 in a workweek. In Louisiana, employers must adhere to the federal laws governing minimum wage and overtime pay, but may establish different hourly rates for part-time and full-time employees. This is often the case for employee positions with different duties or responsibilities. However, employers must ensure they are not discriminating against employees based on their age, race, gender, or other protected characteristics. Employers must also be aware that setting different hourly rates for part-time and full-time employees could lead to legal issues if an employee believes they are being paid unfairly. If an employer in Louisiana chooses to set different hourly wages for part-time and full-time employees, they must be able to provide a legitimate reason for doing so. Besides the differences in duties or responsibilities, employers cannot legally use an employee’s protected characteristics to justify why they are not paying the same wages for the same work.

Are employers allowed to set a different hourly wage for part-time and full-time employees?

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