US Department of Labor recovers $47K in back wages, damages for employees of Utah Chick-Fil-A franchisee, fines employer $187K
recovers $47K in back wages, damages for employees of Utah ... US Department of Labor
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ST. GEORGE, UT – Violation of Child Labor Provisions at Chick-Fil-A Franchise Restaurants
The U.S. Department of Labor announced today that federal investigators have assessed $187,467 in civil penalties for employing 237 minors in violation of child labor provisions. Additionally, they have recovered nearly $47,000 in back wages and liquidated damages for 101 employees at two St. George Chick-Fil-A franchise restaurants.
Child Labor Violations
The Wage and Hour Division of the Department’s Wage and Hour Division assessed DM Holding Co. LLC, the operator of the restaurants, with penalties for violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) child labor provisions. The division’s investigators found that the employer allowed 14- and 15-year-old employees to work past permitted hours and for too many hours in a day.
Overtime Violations
In addition to the child labor violations, the employer also incurred overtime violations. They failed to include the missing break time when paying time and one-half the regular rate of pay for hours over 40 in a workweek.
Sustainable Development Goals
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of global goals adopted by the United Nations to address various social, economic, and environmental challenges. The violations at the Chick-Fil-A franchise restaurants align with several SDGs:
- SDG 4: Quality Education – The work experience of young employees should not interfere with their education.
- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – Employers must ensure they follow all federal labor laws to provide good and safe jobs.
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – Protecting workers’ rights to their full wages regardless of their age or background.
Consequences for the Franchisee
The violations of child labor provisions and failure to pay for all hours of work, as well as overtime, had costly consequences for the Chick-Fil-A franchisee in St. George. The penalties assessed by the Wage and Hour Division amounted to $187,467, and the franchisee had to pay nearly $47,000 in back wages and liquidated damages.
Resources for Workers and Employers
The Wage and Hour Division provides resources to protect workers’ rights and ensure fair labor practices. Some of these resources include:
- Wage and Hour Division – Learn more about the division and its initiatives.
- Search Tool – Use this tool to check if you may be owed back wages collected by the division.
- YouthRules! Initiative – Promotes positive and safe work experiences for teens by providing information about protections for young workers to youth, parents, employers, and educators.
- Seven Child Labor Best Practices for Employers – Guidelines to help employers comply with child labor laws.
- Fair Labor Standards Act’s Child Labor Provisions – Learn more about the child labor provisions under the FLSA.
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
The issues highlighted in the article are related to child labor violations and the failure to pay for all hours of work as well as overtime. These issues are directly connected to SDG 8, which aims to promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all. Additionally, these issues also impact SDG 4, which focuses on ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all.
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.
Based on the article’s content, the specific targets that can be identified are SDG 8.7, which focuses on eradicating child labor, and SDG 4.4, which aims to increase the number of youth with relevant skills for employment.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
Yes, there are indicators mentioned in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. These indicators include:
- Number of child labor violations detected and penalized
- Amount of back wages and liquidated damages recovered for employees
- Number of hours worked by underage employees beyond permitted hours
- Number of overtime violations
These indicators can be used to measure progress towards eradicating child labor (SDG 8.7) and increasing the number of youth with relevant skills for employment (SDG 4.4).
4. 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 detected and penalized – Amount of back wages and liquidated damages recovered for employees – Number of hours worked by underage employees beyond permitted hours – Number of overtime 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. | – N/A |
The table presents the findings from analyzing the article, listing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), their corresponding targets, and the specific indicators identified in the article.
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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