A Little Caesars restaurant in Farmington Hills, Michigan, has been found to have violated federal child labor laws by employing minors inappropriately. The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division investigated the establishment, operated by JMP Pizza Inc., and discovered that minors were assigned tasks involving dangerous equipment such as ovens and dough mixers. Additionally, three 15-year-olds were allowed to work beyond legally permitted hours on school nights.
The investigation revealed that a minor under the age of 16 was instructed to use an oven with temperatures ranging from 500 to 900 degrees Fahrenheit for pizza cooking and to operate a dough mixer. Federal regulations prohibit workers aged 14 and 15 from engaging in baking activities, limiting them only to certain cooking tasks. Furthermore, these young employees worked later than allowed by law.
To address these violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act's child labor provisions, JMP Pizza Inc. has paid $26,341 in civil penalties as determined by the division.
Timolin Mitchell, District Director of the Wage and Hour Division in Detroit, stated: "Learning new skills in the workforce is an important part of growing up – but we must protect children and ensure their first jobs are safe jobs and do not interfere with their education or well-being."
Federal rules specify that children aged 14 and 15 may not work past 7 p.m. from Labor Day until May 31 or after 9 p.m. between June 1 through Labor Day. Their working hours are restricted to eight per day on non-school days or up to 40 per week when school is out of session. On school days, including Fridays, they may work no more than three hours per day or a total of 18 hours during weeks when school is in session.
The YouthRules! initiative aims to promote positive and safe employment experiences for teenagers by offering information about protections for young workers to various stakeholders such as youth, parents, employers, and educators. This initiative supports developmental work experiences preparing young individuals for future employment opportunities. The Wage and Hour Division also provides guidance through its Seven Child Labor Best Practices for Employers.
For those seeking more information about the Wage and Hour Division or suspecting they might be owed back wages collected by the division can utilize a search tool provided by the agency. Complaints can be filed online confidentially via their toll-free helpline at 866-4US-WAGE (487-9243), available nationwide with assistance offered in over 200 languages.
Additionally, an app called Timesheet App is available for iOS and Android devices in both English and Spanish versions ensuring accurate tracking of hours worked and pay received.
