Louisiana Return to Office Mandate 2026

What is Louisiana’s return to office mandate?

Louisiana’s return to office mandate refers to Executive Order JML 25-048 issued by Governor Jeff Landry on April 23, 2025. This order directed state departments, agencies, boards, and commissions under gubernatorial authority to terminate remote work arrangements and require employees to return to in-person work at designated physical offices no later than June 30, 2025.

The executive order applies exclusively to Louisiana state agencies under the governor’s authority. It does not apply to private sector employers, higher education institutions, or state entities not under direct gubernatorial control.

Source: Governor’s Office, Louisiana Division of Administration
Available at: https://gov.louisiana.gov/

Does Louisiana’s RTO mandate apply to private employers?

No. Executive Order JML 25-048 applies only to Louisiana state agencies under gubernatorial authority. Private sector employers are not covered by this executive order.

Private sector employers in Louisiana operate under the state’s at-will employment framework and must comply with anti-discrimination laws, accommodation requirements, and other applicable employment regulations, but are not subject to state-mandated return to office requirements.

Source: Louisiana Civil Code Article 2747, Louisiana Revised Statutes
Available at: https://lcco.law.lsu.edu/ and https://www.legis.la.gov/

Can my employer force me back to the office in Louisiana?

If you work for a private sector employer in Louisiana, your employer generally has the right to require you to work in the office under Louisiana’s at-will employment doctrine established in Louisiana Civil Code Article 2747. Unless you have an employment contract specifying remote work rights or qualify for a reasonable accommodation under disability laws, employers may change work location requirements.

However, employers cannot force employees back to the office for discriminatory reasons or in retaliation for protected activities. Employees with disabilities may be entitled to reasonable accommodations, which may include remote work in some circumstances.

Exceptions that may protect employees:

• Employment contracts guaranteeing remote work
• Collective bargaining agreements
• Reasonable accommodations for disabilities
• Protections against discrimination
• Anti-retaliation protections

Source: Louisiana Civil Code Article 2747, La. R.S. 23:301 et seq.
Available at: https://lcco.law.lsu.edu/ and https://www.legis.la.gov/

What are my accommodation rights under Louisiana law?

Under Louisiana Revised Statutes Section 23:323, employers with 20 or more employees cannot discriminate against otherwise qualified persons with disabilities and must provide reasonable accommodations when the disability is unrelated to the individual’s ability to perform job duties with accommodation.

Under federal law (ADA), employers with 15 or more employees must provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities unless doing so would cause undue hardship.

Reasonable accommodations may include modifications to work schedules, job restructuring, policy adjustments, equipment modifications, or in appropriate cases, remote work arrangements.

To request an accommodation, employees should:

1. Notify employer of disability and need for accommodation
2. Engage in interactive dialogue with employer
3. Provide medical documentation if requested
4. Discuss potential accommodation options
5. Allow employer to assess effectiveness and reasonableness

Source: La. R.S. 23:323, EEOC guidance
Available at: https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=104296

How do I file a discrimination complaint in Louisiana?

Louisiana Commission on Human Rights (LCHR):

Deadline: One year from the date of the alleged discriminatory act (suspended during EEOC or LCHR investigation, maximum 6-month suspension)

How to file:

• Online: https://humanrights.la.gov/file-complaint/
• Phone: (225) 342-6969
• TTY/TDD: 1-888-248-0859
• Mail: P.O. Box 94094, Baton Rouge, LA 70804

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC):

Deadline: 300 days from the date of the alleged discriminatory act in Louisiana (180 days in non-deferral states)

How to file:

• Online: https://publicportal.eeoc.gov/
• Phone: 1-800-669-4000
• TTY: 1-800-669-6820
• In person: EEOC New Orleans Field Office, 500 Poydras Street, Room 809, New Orleans, LA 70130

Louisiana has a worksharing agreement with EEOC, meaning filing with one agency may result in automatic dual-filing with both agencies.

Source: LCHR website, EEOC website, Guide for Afforded Protections
Available at: https://humanrights.la.gov/ and https://www.eeoc.gov/

Can I request remote work as a reasonable accommodation?

Yes, you may request remote work as a reasonable accommodation for a disability under Louisiana law (La. R.S. 23:323) and federal law (ADA). However, employers are not required to grant remote work if:

• Remote work would create undue hardship
• Essential job functions cannot be performed remotely
• Remote work would not be effective in addressing disability-related limitations

The determination depends on individual circumstances including:

• Nature of job duties
• Feasibility of remote performance
• Impact on employer operations
• Availability of alternative accommodations

Employees should engage in the interactive process with employers to discuss accommodation requests and medical documentation supporting the need for remote work.

Source: EEOC guidance on reasonable accommodation
Available at: https://www.eeoc.gov/

What is Louisiana’s Employment Discrimination Law?

Louisiana’s Employment Discrimination Law (La. R.S. 23:301 et seq.) is the state’s comprehensive employment discrimination statute enacted in 1997. The law prohibits discrimination in employment based on:

• Race
• Color
• Religion
• Sex
• National origin
• Natural, protective, or cultural hairstyle
• Age
• Disability

The law applies to employers with 20 or more employees (25 or more for pregnancy discrimination). It provides protections against discriminatory hiring, firing, compensation, and terms and conditions of employment.

Enforcement is handled by the Louisiana Commission on Human Rights, which has worksharing agreement with the federal EEOC.

Source: La. R.S. 23:301 et seq.
Available at: https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=104274

Where do I file an EEOC complaint in Louisiana?

EEOC New Orleans Field Office

Address:
Hale Boggs Federal Building
500 Poydras Street, Room 809
New Orleans, LA 70130

Phone: 1-800-669-4000 (National Contact Center)
TTY: 1-800-669-6820
Videophone: 1-844-234-5122
Website: https://www.eeoc.gov/field-office/neworleans/location
Online Portal: https://publicportal.eeoc.gov/

Walk-in Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. (appointments strongly recommended)
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (excluding federal holidays)

The New Orleans Field Office has jurisdiction for all of Louisiana.

Filing Deadline: 300 days from the date of alleged discrimination in Louisiana (180 days base federal deadline, extended to 300 days in states with Fair Employment Practices Agencies)

Source: EEOC New Orleans Field Office
Available at: https://www.eeoc.gov/field-office/neworleans/location

What is at-will employment in Louisiana?

At-will employment in Louisiana is the default rule governing employment relationships, established in Louisiana Civil Code Article 2747 since 1808. Under this doctrine:

Employers may:

• Dismiss employees at any time
• Terminate for any reason, good or bad
• Terminate for no reason at all
• Do so without assigning a reason

Employees may:

• Leave employment at any time
• Quit for any reason or no reason
• Depart without assigning cause

Exceptions to at-will employment:

Employment cannot be terminated for:

• Discriminatory reasons (race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, etc.)
• Retaliation for protected activities
• Violation of public policy
• Breach of employment contract (if one exists)
• Violation of collective bargaining agreement (if applicable)

Source: Louisiana Civil Code Article 2747, Quebedeaux v. Dow Chemical Co., 820 So.2d 542 (La. 2002)
Available at: https://lcco.law.lsu.edu/?uid=106&ver=en

What is the difference between state employee and private sector RTO requirements in Louisiana?

State Employees (under gubernatorial authority):

• Subject to Executive Order JML 25-048
• Required to return to in-person work at designated physical offices
• Effective date: No later than June 30, 2025
• Applies to departments, agencies, boards, and commissions under the governor’s authority
• Does not apply to higher education institutions (LSU, UL System, LCTCS, Southern University System)

Private Sector Employees:

• Not subject to any state return to office mandate
• Employers operate under at-will employment framework
• Employers may change work location requirements
• Subject to anti-discrimination laws and accommodation requirements
• Protected from discriminatory or retaliatory terminations

Common Requirements (Both Sectors):

• Reasonable accommodations for disabilities required
• Cannot discriminate based on protected characteristics
• Cannot retaliate for protected activities
• Must honor employment contracts and collective bargaining agreements

Source: Executive Order JML 25-048, Louisiana Civil Code Article 2747, La. R.S. 23:301 et seq.

Does Executive Order JML 25-048 apply to Louisiana universities?

No. Executive Order JML 25-048 applies to state departments, agencies, boards, and commissions under the governor’s authority. Louisiana higher education institutions including:

• Louisiana State University (LSU)
• University of Louisiana System
• Louisiana Community and Technical College System (LCTCS)
• Southern University System

These institutions are governed by separate constitutional boards and operate under different governance structures established by the Louisiana Constitution and Louisiana Revised Statutes.

Source: Louisiana Constitution, Louisiana Revised Statutes
Available at: https://www.legis.la.gov/ and https://gov.louisiana.gov/

What protected classes are covered by Louisiana employment law?

According to Louisiana Revised Statutes Section 23:332 and related provisions, Louisiana employment discrimination law protects employees from discrimination based on:

• Race
• Color
• Religion
• Sex
• National origin
• Natural, protective, or cultural hairstyle (added 2022)
• Age (separate statute)
• Disability (separate statute)
• Pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions (employers with 25+ employees)
• Genetic information
• Sickle cell trait

Protection applies to:

• Hiring and firing
• Compensation
• Terms and conditions of employment
• Promotions
• Job assignments
• Benefits
• Other employment decisions

Employer Coverage: Generally 20 or more employees (25+ for pregnancy discrimination)

Source: La. R.S. 23:332, La. R.S. 23:323, Guide for Afforded Protections
Available at: https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=104300

How long do I have to file a complaint in Louisiana?

Louisiana Commission on Human Rights (LCHR):

• Deadline: One (1) year from the date of alleged discrimination
• Suspension: Prescriptive period suspended during EEOC or LCHR investigation (maximum 6-month suspension)
• Court Filing: One year to file in state court after exhausting administrative remedies

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC):

• Deadline: 300 days from the date of alleged discrimination in Louisiana
• Note: 180 days in non-deferral states; Louisiana is a deferral state with worksharing agreement
• Right to Sue Letter: Must file lawsuit within 90 days of receiving Right to Sue letter from EEOC

Important: These deadlines are strict. Missing a deadline may result in losing the right to pursue your claim. If you are approaching a deadline, contact LCHR or EEOC immediately.

Source: Guide for Afforded Protections, EEOC website
Available at: https://www.brla.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7423/Guide-to-Afforded-Protections and https://www.eeoc.gov/

What remedies are available for employment discrimination in Louisiana?

According to Louisiana employment discrimination law and federal law, remedies may include:

Compensatory Damages:

• Lost wages and benefits
• Emotional distress
• Pain and suffering

Equitable Relief:

• Reinstatement to former position
• Promotion
• Front pay (future lost wages if reinstatement not feasible)
• Back pay for lost wages

Other Relief:

• Reasonable attorney fees
• Court costs
• Injunctive relief to prevent future discrimination

Additional Notes:

• Punitive damages may be available under federal law but not Louisiana Employment Discrimination Law
• Remedies depend on specific facts and circumstances
• Awards determined by court or settlement agreement

Source: La. R.S. 23:301 et seq., federal employment discrimination laws, Guide for Afforded Protections
Available at: https://www.brla.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7423/Guide-to-Afforded-Protections