CROSSVILLE RESTAURANT FINED OVER $11,000 FOR CHILD LABOR LAW VIOLATIONS

CROSSVILLE RESTAURANT FINED OVER $11000 FOR CHILD LABOR LAW VIOLATIONS  3B Media News

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May 10, 2024 - 20:30
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CROSSVILLE RESTAURANT FINED OVER $11,000 FOR CHILD LABOR LAW VIOLATIONS

Report on Enhanced Compliance Agreement with Hwy 55 Burgers, Shakes & Fries

Report on Enhanced Compliance Agreement with Hwy 55 Burgers, Shakes & Fries

Introduction

The owner of 20 Hwy 55 Burgers, Shakes & Fries locations has entered an enhanced compliance agreement with the U.S. Department of Labor that aims to improve working conditions for minor-aged employees and compliance with federal labor regulations at their 20 locations in Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.

Investigation Findings

The agreement comes after the department’s Wage and Hour Division investigated The Little Mint Inc. – operating as Hwy 55 Burgers, Shakes & Fries in Crossville – and determined the employer employed 13 children to work after 7 p.m. between Labor Day and June 1 and more than three hours during a school day, both violations of the child labor provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act. In addition, the employer employed a 15-year-old to use manual fryers for cooking fries, a prohibited task for workers under the age of 16.

Steps for Future Compliance

  • Not allow 14- and 15-year-olds to use manual fryers or engage in cooking activities in any of the occupations prohibited under the law.
  • Refrain from employing 14- and 15-year-olds to work outside of the hours permitted by law.
  • Distribute a copy of the child labor provisions for non-agricultural occupations under the FLSA to all current and future locations owned by the enterprise and require all managers and shift leaders to review it annually and return a compliance acknowledgment.
  • Post notices on machines that 14- and 15-year-olds are not legally allowed to use.
  • Require all 14- and 15-year-old workers, and their parents or guardians, to sign an understanding of the child labor occupational and hours requirements under the law.
  • Ensure area directors perform quarterly reviews of time records for 14- and 15-year-old workers.
  • Mandate that employees under the age of 16 are distinguishable from other workers with modified uniform requirements and different color name tags.

Penalties and Obligations

The agency assessed $11,453 in penalties for The Little Mint to address the child labor violations. “Employers must never jeopardize the safety and well-being of young workers or interfere with their education. While learning new skills in the workforce is an important part of growing up, children must be protected from workplace hazards. That protection is an employer’s obligation,” said Wage and Hour Division District Director Lisa Kelly in Nashville, Tennessee. “The Fair Labor Standards Act allows for appropriate work opportunities for young people but includes important restrictions on their work hours and job duties to keep kids safe.”

Locations and Employment

Headquartered in Mt. Olive, NC and operating as Hwy 55 Burgers, Shakes & Fries, The Little Mint Inc. manages three Georgia locations in Brunswick, Kingsland and Waycross; two Louisiana locations in Denham Springs and Zachary; 11 North Carolina locations in Fayetteville, Goldsboro, Greenville, Havelock, Hope Mills, Morehead City, Mt. Olive, New Bern, Rocky Mount, Wallace and Wilson; two Tennessee locations in Crossville and Fayetteville; and two Texas locations in Athens and Ennis. In all, the enterprise employs nearly 160 workers.

Child Labor Violations

In fiscal year 2023, the Wage and Hour Division found child labor violations in more than 950 investigations, resulting in more than $8 million in penalties assessed to employers. “Employers must avoid violations or potentially face costly consequences. The department offers numerous child labor compliance resources and employers may contact their local Wage and Hour Division office directly for guidance,” added Kelly.

YouthRules! Initiative

The YouthRules! initiative promotes positive and safe work experiences for teens by providing information about protections for young workers to youth, parents, employers and educators. Through this initiative, the U.S. Department of Labor and its partners promote developmental work experiences that help prepare young workers to enter the workforce. The Wage and Hour Division has also published Seven Child Labor Best Practices for Employers to help employers comply with the law.

Contact Information

Workers and employers can call the division confidentially with questions and the department can speak with callers in more than 200 languages. For more information about the FLSA and other laws enforced by the agency, contact the division’s toll-free helpline at 866-4US-WAGE (487-9243). Workers and employers can help ensure hours worked and pay are accurate by downloading the department’s Android or iOS Timesheet App for free in English and Spanish.

Additional Information

In February 2012, Andy’s Cheesesteaks and Cheeseburgers announced that it had changed its name to Hwy 55 Burgers, Shakes & Fries. In January 2021, it was announced that Hwy 55 would be expanding to Crossville, Tennessee, at the corner of North Main Street and Chuckles Parkway.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDGs Addressed or Connected to the Issues Highlighted in the Article

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

The issues highlighted in the article are related to child labor violations and the need for improved working conditions for minor-aged employees. These issues are connected to SDG 8, which focuses on promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment, and decent work for all. Additionally, SDG 4, which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all, is relevant as it emphasizes the importance of protecting children’s education and well-being.

2. Specific Targets Based on the Article’s Content

  • Target 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.
  • Target 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.

The article highlights violations of child labor provisions, which aligns with Target 8.7 of SDG 8. This target specifically addresses the need to eradicate child labor and ensure the protection of children from exploitative work conditions. Additionally, Target 4.4 of SDG 4 is relevant as it emphasizes the importance of equipping youth with relevant skills for employment, which includes ensuring their safety and well-being in the workplace.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied in the Article

  • Number of child labor violations identified and addressed
  • Number of establishments implementing measures to prevent child labor
  • Number of managers and shift leaders reviewing child labor provisions annually
  • Number of 14- and 15-year-old workers signing understanding of child labor requirements
  • Frequency of area directors’ reviews of time records for young workers
  • Number of establishments posting notices on machines prohibited for use by young workers
  • Number of establishments implementing modified uniform requirements and different color name tags for workers under 16
  • Amount of penalties assessed for child labor violations

The article mentions several indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. These indicators include the number of child labor violations identified and addressed, the implementation of preventive measures at establishments, the compliance with annual reviews and understanding of child labor provisions, the frequency of reviews of time records, the posting of notices on prohibited machines, the implementation of modified uniform requirements, and the amount of penalties assessed for violations.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

SDGs Targets Indicators
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth Target 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.
  • Number of child labor violations identified and addressed
  • Number of establishments implementing measures to prevent child labor
  • Amount of penalties assessed for child labor violations
SDG 4: Quality Education Target 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.
  • Number of managers and shift leaders reviewing child labor provisions annually
  • Number of 14- and 15-year-old workers signing understanding of child labor requirements
  • Frequency of area directors’ reviews of time records for young workers
  • Number of establishments posting notices on machines prohibited for use by young workers
  • Number of establishments implementing modified uniform requirements and different color name tags for workers under 16

Copyright: Dive into this article, curated with care by SDG Investors Inc. Our advanced AI technology searches through vast amounts of data to spotlight how we are all moving forward with the Sustainable Development Goals. While we own the rights to this content, we invite you to share it to help spread knowledge and spark action on the SDGs.

Fuente: 3bmedianews.com

 

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