Department of Labor finds operators of 13 South Carolina Sonic Drive-Ins illegally employed 91 minors to work longer, later than allowed
Department of Labor finds operators of 13 South Carolina Sonic ... US Department of Labor
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COLUMBIA, SC – Child Labor Violations Found in Sonic Drive-In Franchisees
The U.S. Department of Labor has conducted investigations on two Sonic Drive-In franchisees in South Carolina and discovered numerous child labor violations. These violations involve 91 children under the age of 16 who were found to be working longer and later than legally allowed by child labor provisions in the Fair Labor Standards Act.
Investigations and Violations
- Atticus Franchise Group LLC, an Atlanta-based private equity firm operating 60 Sonic Drive-In locations, including eight in South Carolina, employed 36 children aged 14 and 15 illegally between March 2021 and October 2022. The violations include:
- Working after 7 p.m. between Labor Day and June 1.
- Working past 9 p.m. between June 1 and Labor Day.
- Working more than 3 hours on a school day and more than 8 hours on a non-school day.
- Working more than 18 hours during a school week.
The department imposed a $25,000 civil money penalty on Atticus Franchise Group for the violations found at eight Sonic locations in Clinton, Gaffney, Greenville, Greenwood, Greer, Laurens, and Simpsonville.
Furthermore, investigations revealed that 3497 Beaufort Limited Partnership and its parent company, Boom Inc., a fast-food business enterprise operating Sonic Drive-In locations in multiple states, employed 55 children aged 14 and 15 outside of legally allowed hours.
For these violations, 3497 Beaufort and Boom Inc. were fined $36,012 to address the violations found at five Sonic locations in Chapin, Columbia, Newberry, and Sumter.
Importance of Child Labor Regulations
Wage and Hour Division District Director Jamie Benefiel emphasized the significance of balancing workplace experience with educational opportunities for young workers. Child labor regulations ensure that young workers can gain valuable work experience without compromising their education or safety.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aim to promote decent work and economic growth (SDG 8) and ensure quality education (SDG 4). By enforcing child labor regulations, the U.S. Department of Labor contributes to these goals by safeguarding the rights and well-being of young workers.
Increasing Child Labor Violations
In fiscal year 2022, the Wage and Hour Division found an alarming increase of child labor violations involving 3,876 children nationwide, representing a more than 60% increase since 2018. To address these violations, employers were assessed over $4.3 million in civil money penalties.
About Atticus Franchise Group LLC and Boom Inc.
Atticus Franchise Group LLC owns and operates Sonic Drive-In and Massage Envy franchise locations in multiple states. It has 60 Sonic Drive-In locations in Georgia, South Carolina, and Texas, as well as over 70 Massage Envy locations in Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Minnesota, Nevada, North Carolina, Virginia, and Utah.
Boom Inc., incorporated in 1992 and based in Columbia, owns and operates an enterprise of 94 fast-food locations, including the Columbia location operated in joint partnership with 3497 Beaufort Limited Partnership.
Promoting Positive Work Experiences for Teens
The Department of Labor’s YouthRules! initiative aims to promote positive and safe work experiences for teens. It provides information about protections for young workers to youth, parents, employers, and educators. The department and its partners advocate for developmental work experiences that prepare young workers for the workforce.
The Wage and Hour Division has also published Seven Child Labor Best Practices for Employers to assist employers in complying with the law. Employers can access additional information about the Fair Labor Standards Act’s child labor provisions on the department’s website.
Compliance Assistance
The Wage and Hour Division offers confidential compliance assistance to anyone with questions about how to comply with the law. They can be reached through the agency’s toll-free helpline at 866-4US-WAGE (487-9243). Assistance is available in over 200 languages, regardless of the caller’s origin.
Visit the agency’s website to learn more about the Wage and Hour Division. Download the agency’s new Timesheet App for iOS and Android devices, which is now available in Spanish, to ensure accurate recording of hours and pay.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 4: Quality Education
- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
The article discusses child labor violations and the importance of balancing work experience with education, which aligns with SDG 4’s focus on quality education for all children. It also addresses the issue of decent work and economic growth, as it highlights violations of child labor provisions and emphasizes the need for employers to comply with regulations.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- 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.
- 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, including recruitment and use of child soldiers, and by 2025 end child labor in all its forms.
The article highlights the violation of child labor provisions, indicating a need to address Target 8.7. It also indirectly emphasizes the importance of providing relevant skills for employment and decent jobs to prevent child labor, aligning with Target 4.4.
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 involving children under age 16 (Indicator for Target 8.7)
- Number of children employed outside of legally allowed hours (Indicator for Target 8.7)
The article mentions that in fiscal year 2022, there were child labor violations involving 3,876 children nationwide, indicating an indicator for measuring progress towards Target 8.7. It also states that children were employed outside of legally allowed hours, which can serve as another indicator for the same target.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | N/A |
| 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, including recruitment and use of child soldiers, and by 2025 end child labor in all its forms. | Number of child labor violations involving children under age 16 |
| 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, including recruitment and use of child soldiers, and by 2025 end child labor in all its forms. | Number of children employed outside of legally allowed hours |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: dol.gov
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