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McDonald’s location in Louisville, Kentucky.
Luke Charette | bloomberg | Getty Images
More than 300 minors — including two 10-year-olds who have not been paid — have been found to work in violation of federal labor laws at McDonald’s restaurants across Kentucky and other states, the U.S. Department of Labor says. said this week.
In total, the franchisees face more than $200,000 in civil financial penalties.
The department’s Wage and Hour Division identified three separate franchisees operating at 62 McDonald’s locations across Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland and Ohio who violated federal labor laws by hiring 305 children to work more hours than legally permitted, as well as performing illegal tasks for young workers. Of the 62 restaurants, 45 were in KFC, according to it Department data.
“These reports are unacceptable, deeply troubling, and run counter to the high expectations we have for the entire McDonald’s brand,” Tiffany Boyd, vice president and director of personnel for McDonald’s USA, said in a statement to NBC News. “We have not lost our great responsibility to ensure a positive and safe experience for everyone under the arch.”
The news comes as Republican lawmakers take aim at child labor laws across the country. This week, Republican lawmakers in Wisconsin circulated a bill that would allow 14-year-olds to Alcoholic drinks are served in bars and restaurants. Republican-led bills have also been pushed through in states like Arkansas, Iowa and Ohio that would make it easier for teens to work longer hours and more jobs.
Department of Labor investigators discovered two 10-year-olds working without pay until 2 a.m. at the McDonald’s location in Louisville, Kentucky, operated by Louisville-based Power Foods Inc., according to a statement released Tuesday.
According to NBC NewsThe 10-year-olds were children of a night manager visiting their parents on business, said Bauer Food LLC, and therefore management did not consent to them being in that part of the restaurant. The franchisor has taken steps to make all policies regarding children visiting a parent or guardian at work clear to employees.
This franchise was also found to employ 24 children under the age of 16 to work more hours than the legally permitted hours, according to investigators, amounting to $39,711 in civil monetary penalties. These hours are restricted by law from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., except between June 1 and Labor Day when they extend until 9 p.m.
“Too often, employers fail to follow child labor laws that protect young workers,” Karen said. “A 10-year-old working in a fast food kitchen shouldn’t have around hot grills, ovens, and skillets.” Garnett-Civils, director of the Division of Wage and Hours at the Louisville Department of Labor.
Archways Richwood LLC, based in Walton, Kentucky, was found to have allowed 242 14- to 15-year-olds to work more hours than allowed. The Labor Department said children were found working more than three hours on school days and earlier in the day or later than permitted by law, which amounted to $143,566 in fines.
Archways Richwood LLC did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Bell Restaurant Group I LLC, also located in Louisville, was found to have allowed 39 workers ages 14 to 15 to work outside permitted hours, which amounted to $29,267 in fines, the department said.
Last year, the Department of Labor found that 688 minors were illegally employed in hazardous jobs in fiscal year 2022, the highest annual number since fiscal year 2011. The department said a 15-year-old was injured in June 2022 in Tennessee while using . Deep fryer.
“One child injured on the job is one too many. Child labor laws are in place to ensure that when young people work, the job does not endanger their health, welfare or education,” Garnett-Civils said.
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