Issue Position: Louisiana State Labor Laws

Issue Position

I support equal pay for equal work, and I oppose any discrimination in the workplace, regardless of sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation.
Currently, the Louisiana Employment Discrimination Law prohibits employers with 20+ employees from intentionally discriminating in the compensation of any person on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, pregnancy (including childbirth and related medical conditions), sickle-cell trait, or protected genetic information. I believe this law should extend to all employers, regardless of the number of people they employ.
I support the right of Louisiana's cities and municipalities to set their own minimum wage based on the current living wage in their region.
Per MIT: "The living wage model is an alternative measure of basic needs. It is a market-based approach that draws upon geographically specific expenditure data related to a family's likely minimum food, childcare, health insurance, housing, transportation, and other basic necessities (e.g. clothing, personal care items, etc.) costs. The living wage on these cost elements and the rough effects of income and payroll taxes to determine the minimum employment earnings necessary to meet a family's basic needs while also maintaining self-sufficiency."

I support ending pay secrecy in the workplace, thereby allowing working to discuss their wages with other workers without fear of job loss or other repercussions.
I support current state law that mandates a break every five hours for minors who are employed.
I support paid family medical leave for all working people in Louisiana.
I would like to investigate best practices in other states re: financial awards and damages related to discrimination, harassment and abuse cases in government-based workplaces.

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