The U.S. Department of Labor has mandated a Jacksonville Beach water park to pay $151,606 in penalties after it was found to have violated child labor laws. This decision follows an investigation by the department's Wage and Hour Division into 1944 Beach Boulevard LLC, which operates Adventure Landing.

Investigators discovered that the company employed 14- and 15-year-olds beyond permissible hours during the school year. These young workers were assigned shifts past 7 p.m. on weeknights and past 9 p.m. on Fridays between the day after Labor Day and May 31, violating federal law limitations.

"Employing children to work excessively can jeopardize their well-being and education," stated Vilma Bell, Wage and Hour Division District Director in Orlando, Florida. "We are committed to ensuring that young people have positive first employment experiences that teach them valuable skills while earning wages."

Further findings revealed that Adventure Landing had employed 14-year-olds as attendants on elevated water slides without necessary certifications, contravening the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Alongside paying penalties, Adventure Landing agreed to enhance its compliance with child labor laws by reviewing training materials for all employees, ensuring managers report violations, and providing a compliance report.

This marks the second instance of violations at Adventure Landing. In 2018, similar infractions led to penalties totaling $6,199 at its Pineville, N.C., location.

In fiscal year 2023 alone, nearly 5,800 children were found working illegally nationwide under federal law. The division imposed over $8 million in related penalties.

The department's YouthRules! initiative aims to foster safe work environments for teens by educating various stakeholders about youth worker protections. The division also offers resources like the Seven Child Labor Best Practices for Employers guide to help businesses adhere to legal standards.

For more information about wage regulations or inquiries regarding work conditions regardless of immigration status, individuals can contact the Wage and Hour Division helpline or use their Timesheet App available in multiple languages.