MANCHESTER, NH – Each year, employers hire millions of young people in the food services, retail, recreation and construction industries to add staff to meet their labor needs during peak periods. At the same time, and in response to increases in violations of federal child labor laws, the U.S. Department of Labor has increased its employer outreach and enforcement actions to help employers prevent young workers’ jobs from jeopardizing their safety and well-being.

HERSHEY, PA – A federal investigation found that a Dunkin’ franchisee violated child labor laws when it allowed 14-and-15-year-olds to work outside permissible hours at three locations in Dauphin and Lebanon counties.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division determined that franchisee Akshar Ashish LLC, operating as Dunkin' and headquartered in Hershey, permitted 14-and-15-year-old employees to:

LEXINGTON, SC – A U.S. Department of Labor investigation that found child labor violations at nine Burger King franchise locations in the Columbia area has prompted the restaurants’ operator to enter into a compliance agreement and change the way it operates to improve working conditions for minor-aged workers at all current and future locations of this brand.

Employer:                                      American Pizza Empire LLC

                                                            Marco’s Pizza

                                                            5918 Providence Road

                                                            Riverview, FL 33578

Employer:                                          Brito Enterprises of Tampa Inc.

                                                            Operating as Chick-Fil-A Tampa Stadium

                                                            2551 North Dale Mabry Hwy

                                                            Tampa, FL 33607

NEW YORK – The U.S. Department of Labor has obtained a federal court order preventing a Long Island restaurant and its chef/owner from violating federal law by employing young workers at night later than law permits and from obstructing an investigation by the department’s Wage and Hour Division.

SPARTANBURG, SC – A federal investigation into child labor violations at a Spartanburg Bojangles has led the franchisee to partner with the U.S. Department of Labor to make sweeping changes to enhance working conditions for minor-aged workers and compliance with labor laws at the operator’s 93 locations in six states.

MANASQUAN, NJ – A federal investigation has found that a popular chain of sandwich shops allowed 14- and 15-year-old workers to work beyond and outside hours permitted by child labor laws.

Employer:                                          Controlled Blasting Inc.

                                                            1159 Finch Road

                                                            Winder, GA 30680

MEMPHIS, TN – The operator of a Memphis Schlotzsky’s restaurant endangered minor-aged workers, the U.S. Department of Labor found after an investigation into a 16-year-old worker’s thumb injury.

ALLENTOWN, PA – A Wendy’s restaurant franchisee who endangered minor-aged workers and permitted them to work more hours than the law allows at five Pennsylvania locations has taken steps to correct those violations, and to ensure future compliance at all of the restaurants it operates in Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey.

PORTLAND, OR – As the summer hiring season looms, employers are offering more opportunities for youth-aged workers to earn money and gain work experience than in recent years. In preparation for their early ventures into the working world, young workers should familiarize themselves – and employers should review practices and ensure compliance –with federal labor laws designed to ensure that the experience is rewarding and safe.

Employer:                                 The Kroger Co. Inc.

Investigation site:                3095 Goodman Road

                                                       Southaven, MS 38672

HONOLULU – A federal investigation recovered $153,070 in back wages and liquidated damages for 17 workers of a Honolulu bakery and café whose operator denied them their overtime wages and endangered the safety of minor-aged workers.

SALT LAKE CITY – The U.S. Department of Labor is stepping up its efforts to identify child labor violations in the Salt Lake City area as school closings for the summer nears, and its Wage and Hour Division offers the findings of three recent investigations to remind employers about the regulations and limitations related to the employment youth.

DALLAS – As minor-aged workers seek to make extra cash by working more hours during spring recess, their employers should take the opportunity to review federal child labor laws to avoid violations and costly penalties.

ATHENS, GA – A federal investigation has found two Zaxby’s franchise restaurants in Lilburn and Grayson endangered minor-aged employees and allowed them to work outside of prescribed hours, in violation of federal child labor laws.

JACKSONVILLE, FL – The miscalculation of overtime wages and child labor violations have taken a slice of the profits from the operator of three Jacksonville pizzerias, following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor.

SAN DIEGO – A McDonald’s franchisee has agreed to pay $25,920 in civil money penalties after a U.S. Department of Labor investigation found the employer assigned minor-aged employees at three Santa Ana locations hazardous work in violation of child labor laws.

WINTER PARK, FL – A Winter Park bakery engaged a 13-year-old worker as an unpaid volunteer, and risked the child’s safety by allowing them to operate a power-driven bread slicer, in violation of federal laws governing pay practices and child labor.