The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has sanctioned a McDonald's franchise in Louisville, Kentucky, after finding 24 minors, two of whom were 10 years old, working on the premises late at night and without pay. In two other franchises, 281 minors were found working.
Through a statement, the DOL Wage and Hour Division confirmed the financial penalties that the three employers: Bauer Food LLC, Archways Richwood LLC and Bell Restaurant Group I LLC, have received for violating federal labor laws regarding the hiring of minors. In total, the three franchises must pay $212,544: Bauer Food LLC $39,711; Archways Richwood LLC $143,566; and Bell Restaurant Group I LLC $29,267.
What do the labor laws for minors say?
Labor legislation establishes time restrictions for 14 and 15 year-olds: they may not work more than three hours on a school day, including Fridays, nor more than eight hours on a non-school day. They may not work more than 18 hours during a school week nor more than 40 hours during a non-school week; and they may not work before 7 a.m. nor later than 7 p.m., except between June 1 and Labor Day, when night hours are extended to 9 p.m. It also prohibits minors from using hazardous materials such as deep fryers or ovens.
Louisville Wage and Hour Division District Director Karen Garnett-Civils commented:
Too often, employers fail to follow the child labor laws that protect young workers. Under no circumstances should there ever be a 10-year-old child working in a fast-food kitchen around hot grills, ovens and deep fryers. We are seeing an increase in federal child labor violations, including allowing minors to operate equipment or handle types of work that endangers them or employs them for more hours or later in the day than federal law allows. An employer who hires young workers must know the rules. An employer, parent or young worker with questions can contact us for help understanding their obligations and rights under the law.
McDonald's fights back
McDonald's USA Senior Vice President and Chief People Officer Tiffanie Boyd assured CNN that the multinational company had no awareness of this:
These reports are unacceptable, deeply troubling and run afoul of the high expectations we have for the entire McDonald’s brand. We are committed to ensuring our franchisees have the resources they need to foster safe workplaces for all employees and maintain compliance with all labor laws.
