AG’s Office Resolves Matters Totaling Over $1 Million For Child Labor Violations Against Various Dunkin’ Franchisees

BOSTON — Attorney General Resolves Child Labor Violations Against Dunkin’ Franchisees

The Attorney General’s Office has resolved two matters for a combined total of more than $1 million concerning thousands of child labor violations against Dunkin’ franchisees, Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell announced today. These cases are part of AG Campbell’s ongoing effort to protect the rights of workers, particularly young workers.

Protecting the Rights of Young Workers

“Companies who employ young workers must comply with our child labor laws and provide a safe and fair environment for them,” said AG Campbell. “My office remains committed to protecting the health and well-being of the state’s youngest workers, ensuring their rights are protected, and that companies are complying with the rules we have in place.”

Settlement with Dunkin’ Franchisees

In the first matter, Dunkin’ franchisees Neal Faulkner, Erica Placido-Coelho, and Denise Nicolace, who own and operate 25 Dunkin’ locations across central and southeastern Massachusetts, reached a settlement with the AGO totaling $1 million. The franchise owners have agreed to pay citations totaling $500,000 and contribute $500,000 towards a fund administered by the AG’s Office for the enforcement and education of wage and hour laws, including the education and training of young workers.

• Violations include requiring minors to work more than six hours a day without a meal break
• Employing a minor after 8:00 pm without an adult supervisor
• Employment of a minor past the latest permissible hour
• Employing a minor for more than the maximum numbers allowed in a day
• Minors working without a work permit

A separate investigation into another Dunkin’ franchise, Shrewsbury Enterprise, LLC, and its owner George Fellows, resulted in citations totaling over $100,000. Violations included employing a minor past the earliest and latest permissible hours, employing minors for more than eight hours per day, employing a minor after 8:00 pm without an adult supervisor, and employing a minor for more than nine hours in a day.

Enforcement Efforts and Citations

Between 2022 and 2023, the Fair Labor Division’s enforcement related to Dunkin’ businesses totaled nearly $1.75 million. Earlier this year, AG Campbell issued citations against two Dunkin’ franchisees for child labor violations. In October 2022, the AG’s Office announced citations issued to the owners of Dunkin’ stores located in Lowell, Worcester, Grafton, Millbury, Westborough, and Leominster for violations of child labor laws. In 2021, the AG’s Office also issued citations to a management company and its owner, which operated 10 Dunkin’ locations, to resolve similar violations.

Massachusetts Child Labor Laws

The Massachusetts child labor laws impose certain requirements related to minors in the workplace, including limiting the hours workers under 18 can work and the kinds of jobs they can do. State law also requires employers to have Youth Employment Permits (work permits) on file for all workers under 18, and minors generally must be supervised after 8 pm.

Protecting Vulnerable Communities

In June, AG Campbell hosted a convening with representatives from the immigrant, education, and business communities to build public awareness surrounding workplace protections for migrant and other vulnerable children in Massachusetts. The Office continues its efforts to thwart poor working conditions and exploitation of youth and vulnerable communities.

Filing Complaints and Seeking Information

Workers who believe that their rights have been violated in the workplace are encouraged to file a complaint online at www.mass.gov/ago/fld. For more information about the state’s wage and hour laws, workers may call the AG’s Fair Labor Hotline at (617) 727-3465 or visit www.mass.gov/ago/fairlabor for materials in multiple languages.

Handling of Cases

The first matter was handled by Assistant Attorney General Barbara Dillon DeSouza and Investigator Erin MacKenzie, while the Shrewsbury Enterprise, LLC matter was handled by Assistant Attorney General Anita Maietta and Investigator Matija Zizanovic, all of the Attorney General’s Fair Labor Division.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• SDG 4: Quality Education
• SDG 5: Gender Equality

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor.
• SDG 4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs, and entrepreneurship.
• SDG 5.3: Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early, and forced marriage and female genital mutilation.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Number of child labor violations resolved
• Total amount of fines and settlements related to child labor violations
• Amount of funds allocated for the enforcement and education of wage and hour laws
• Number of citations issued for child labor violations

4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: mass.gov

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