News Release

US Department of Labor investigation found Virginia Beach franchisee violated child labor laws, failed to pay employees overtime

Minors illegally operated power machinery at Cinnabon & Auntie Anne’s

Employer name: 1802 Atlantic Co., operating as Cinnabon & Auntie Anne’s

Employer address: 1802 Atlantic Ave., Virginia Beach, VA 23451

Investigation findings: U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division investigators in Richmond found the employer permitted workers between the ages of 14 and 17 to operate a power-driven dough mixer. They also failed to pay two non-exempt hourly employees an overtime premium of time-and-one-half for hours worked over 40 in a work week. 1802 Atlantic Co. also did not maintain accurate records, including hours worked and the minors’ birth dates. Their actions violated the Fair Labor Standards Act’s child labor provisions.  The employer also failed to post information about the Family and Medical Leave Policy.

Back Wages Due: $3,560

Civil Money Penalties: $22,082, assessed by the division for the child labor violations.

“Federal child labor laws protect minor-aged workers from workplace dangers and the risks they present,” explained Wage and Hour Division District Director Roberto Melendez in Richmond, Virginia. “Work experience is intended to provide a useful learning opportunity but not at the expense of their education and well-being.”

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that 958,000 food and accommodation services workers left their positions in December 2021. BLS also projects about 41,400 openings for food service managers each year, on average, from 2020 to 2030.

Learn more about federal child labor laws

Agency
Wage and Hour Division
Date
April 7, 2022
Release Number
22-576-PHI
Media Contact: Leni Fortson
Media Contact: Joanna Hawkins
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