The operator of a Culver’s franchise restaurant in Wixom, Mich., has paid $13,212 in penalties for violating federal child labor laws, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) reported recently.
An investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's (DOL) Wage and Hour Division (WHD) found that Union Pacific Foods Inc. "allowed 18 teens – ages 14 and 15 – to work more than federal child labor laws permit," the DOL reported Feb. 3.
"Union Pacific Foods Inc. assigned minors to consistently work more than three hours on a school day, more than 18 hours in a school week, more than eight hours on a non-school day, later than 7 p.m. during the school year, and later than 9 p.m. from June 1st through Labor Day," the DOL report states.
Provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) prohibit 14- and 15-year-olds from working past 7 p.m., or 9 p.m. from June 1 through Labor Day; from working more than three hours on a school day; eight hours on a non-school day or more than 18 hours in a workweek, the DOL reports.
In addition to limiting the number of hours and times of day that minors may work, the FLSA also prohibits them from operating motor vehicles, forklifts and hazardous equipment, according to the DOL, or working in jobs considered hazardous by federal labor laws.
In 2021, around 33% of the population between 16 and 19 was employed, the release reported. The DOL found child labor violations in more than 4,000 cases between fiscal year 2017 and 2021, affecting more than 13,000 minors. The division recently published “Seven Child Labor Best Practices for Employers” to assist employers and inform young workers and their parents.
“Permitting young workers to work excessive hours can jeopardize their safety, well-being and education,” WHD District Director in Detroit Timolin Mitchell said in the report. “Employers like Culver’s who hire young workers must understand and comply with federal child labor laws or face costly consequences.”
