Roshan Operations LLC has agreed to pay a $101,027 penalty after authorities discovered the employer jeopardized minors' safety by allowing them to engage in unlawful or hazardous activities, according to a press release from the U.S. Department of Labor.
The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division conducted an investigation into the company, which operates five Marco's Pizza locations in Charleston, S.C., and discovered that it allowed 14- and 15-year-old employees to engage in 'prohibited baking activities' and hired an underage delivery driver.
“Teens bring value to workplaces, but achieving balance with needs typical of their age group is essential,” Wage and Hour Division District Director Jamie Benefiel stated in the press release, “Child labor laws are intended to ensure young workers obtain valuable experience safely and without interfering with their education. With kids back in school and the holiday season upon us, restaurant employers should review child labor laws and contact the Wage and Hour Division if they have questions.”
Roshan Operations also violated federal work hour guidelines by scheduling 14- and 15-year-olds to work after 7 p.m., for more than three hours per day, and for more than 18 hours per week, according to the investigation.
Additionally, Roshan Operations was found to have violated the overtime requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act.
"Investigators determined the employer did not combine work hours when employees worked in multiple locations in the same workweek," the press release stated, "By doing so, Roshan paid straight time for all hours to workers who worked more than 40 hours a week at all locations combined. The employer also failed to include certain bonuses into one worker’s overtime pay as required and, as a result, paid the employee a lower overtime rate than required by law."
Additionally, the company failed to properly include certain incentives into one employee's overtime compensation, resulting in the individual receiving a lesser overtime rate than allowed by law.
The investigation has resulted in the division recouping $5,425 in unpaid wages for 26 employees.
