Child labor violations in Vermont and other states called out by feds
Vermont businesses have failed to protect teenage workers, and now the U.S. Department of Labor is getting involved.
There has been a national trend of increased child-labor law violations, which had been steadily decreasing until 2015, when the numbers began to tick up again. Reported violations last year involved more than 2,800 minor workers and triggered $3.4 million in penalties.
The Department of Labor's Northern New England office in Manchester, New Hampshire said it "has taken strong enforcement actions" including conducting investigations and engaging in outreach in order to decrease federal labor violations at businesses across the region.
“Ensuring the safety of our youngest workers and bringing employers into compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act’s child labor restrictions are high priorities for the Wage and Hour Division,” said Steven McKinney, division director at the regional labor department office, in a news release. “We encourage employers to be proactive and to use best practice measures to ensure they protect young workers.”
Child labor violations in Vermont
A news release from the labor department cited examples of violations in the food service industry among McDonald's and Dunkin' franchises this year in Vermont and New Hampshire.
At nine McDonald's run by Coughlin, Inc., 142 workers ages 14 and 15 worked more hours than federal law permits. Federal law states this group cannot work more than three hours on a school day or more than 18 hours per week while in school, or more than eight hours on a weekend day or more than 40 hours per week when not in school. Additionally, an investigation found 18 workers ages 14 and 15 illegally operated an oven or a fryer without a device to automatically raise and lower the basket. Two minors were burned and the company paid $109,125 in penalties.
Vermont Donut Enterprises, LLC and related companies running 12 Dunkin' franchise locations were also cited for not adhering to restrictions on workers aged 14 and 15 years old. There were 44 violations involving hours worked and 17 violations for operating high-speed ovens. A 16-year-old was illegally allowed to drive a vehicle between two locations. Six minors received burns and the company was fined $15,737 in civil penalties.
Notably in 2019, The Spot and The Spot on the Dock restaurants in the Burlington area paid $2,360 in fees after violating child-labor laws restricting hours for teenage employees.
What's changing at businesses to protect young workers
Following the Department of Labor's investigations, Coughlin and Vermont Donut Enterprises signed new compliance agreements and were instructed to adopt additional policies for minor workers.
Some of these new rules included color-coded name tags based upon age, more instructions for youth workers at the time of hire as well as signs and "stop" stickers on equipment with age restrictions, supervisor training sessions, and appointing a compliance director to spot check time cards.
“As the labor market tightens, employers may look to younger workers to fill job vacancies. However, there are limits on what jobs young workers can perform and how often they can work,” said McKinney. “We urge employers to review our YouthRules! initiative materials and Seven Child Labor Best Practices for Employers web site." McKinney said employers with questions could also contact the division directly at 1-866-487-9243.
Contact reporter April Barton at abarton@freepressmedia.com or 802-660-1854. Follow her on Twitter @aprildbarton.
This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Child labor laws: Vermont McDonald's and Dunkin' locations penalized
