Stella’s Ice Cream fined more than $320,000 by the Department of Labor for violating child labor laws – Idaho News 6 Boise Twin Falls

Stella’s Ice Cream Fined for Violating Child Labor Laws

Introduction

Stella’s Ice Cream, a popular ice cream chain, has been fined $321,015 by the Department of Labor for multiple violations of child labor laws. The investigation revealed that underage employees were made to work beyond legal hours and were assigned illegal tasks. Additionally, the company was found to have distributed tips to managers and supervisors, which is prohibited under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Violations and Consequences

• Stella’s paid nearly $80,000 in back wages and liquidated damages to 208 affected workers due to tip sharing.
• The violations were the result of a lack of knowledge of federal child labor laws, which differ from the State of Idaho’s regulations, according to Stella’s CEO Chad Hartley.

Investigation Details

The Department of Labor conducted an investigation of Stella’s Ice Cream at four of its locations. Katherine Walum, a representative from the Department of Labor, stated that the investigation found underage employees working beyond legal hours and being assigned illegal tasks. The Department enforces strict requirements to protect minors in the workplace, including limitations on working hours and the use of certain machinery and equipment.

Tips Violation

The investigation also revealed that tips were being distributed to managers and supervisors, which is illegal under the Fair Labor Standards Act. This violation resulted in back wages of almost $80,000 for 208 workers, along with liquidated damages.

Response from Stella’s CEO

In response to the allegations, Stella’s CEO Chad Hartley denied the accusation of “stealing” tips from teen employees. He explained that the company’s standard practice was to pool tips among all employees on shift, regardless of their position. Hartley acknowledged that the violations were the result of a lack of knowledge of federal child labor laws, which differ from the State of Idaho’s regulations.

Willful Violations

The Department of Labor determined that the violations were willful, as defined by the Fair Labor Standards Act. Willful violations include a reckless disregard for the requirements of the act, according to Katherine Walum.

Additional Violations

Furthermore, the investigation found that minors were assigned to use kitchen mixers, an industrial mixer, and drive vehicles over the weight limit, all of which are prohibited. Stella’s CEO stated that they used standard Kitchenaid mixers commonly found in home kitchens and believed that no minors were put in danger. The company has since switched to lower-powered equipment that complies with federal regulations.

Updated Policies

Stella’s Ice Cream has made changes to its policies in response to the violations. They no longer hire anyone under the age of 16 and do not allow minor employees to operate equipment deemed illegal by the Department of Labor.

Conclusion

The fine imposed on Stella’s Ice Cream serves as a reminder of the importance of complying with child labor laws. It highlights the need for businesses to have a thorough understanding of both federal and state regulations to ensure the fair treatment and protection of underage workers.

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 10: Reduced Inequalities

The article discusses violations of labor laws, specifically related to underage employees, illegal tasks, and illegal distribution of tips. These issues are connected to SDG 8, which aims to promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all. Additionally, the article highlights the distribution of tips to managers and supervisors, which is illegal and contributes to reduced inequalities, aligning with SDG 10.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified 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 10.4: Adopt policies, especially fiscal, wage, and social protection policies, and progressively achieve greater equality.

The article highlights violations of child labor laws, which relate to Target 8.7 of SDG 8. The target aims to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery, and eliminate the worst forms of child labor. Additionally, the illegal distribution of tips to managers and supervisors relates to Target 10.4 of SDG 10, which focuses on adopting policies to achieve greater equality.

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

• Indicator 8.7.1: Proportion and number of children aged 5-17 years engaged in child labor, by sex and age group.
• Indicator 10.4.1: Labour share of GDP, comprising wages and social protection transfers.

The article mentions that underage employees worked beyond legal hours and were assigned illegal tasks, indicating a violation of child labor laws. This information can be used to measure progress towards Indicator 8.7.1 of SDG 8, which focuses on the proportion and number of children engaged in child labor. Additionally, the illegal distribution of tips to managers and supervisors can be used to measure progress towards Indicator 10.4.1 of SDG 10, which measures the labor share of GDP.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: kivitv.com