Monday, February 24, 2020

Wendy's Pays $400K For 2,000+ Child Labor Law Violations: AG

$200 PER VIOLATION CHUMP CHANGE
Wendy's agreed to a $400,000 settlement for thousands of child labor law violations across dozens of corporate-owned locations in Massachusetts, Attorney General Maura Healey's office announced Tuesday. 
© AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File Wendy's agreed to a settlement after an estimated 2,100 child labor law violations.

The investigation started after a complaint from a minor who worked at a Worcester Wendy's that minors were working too late and too many hours. Healey's office said Wendy's cooperated and showed records of 16- and 17-year-old workers working later than allowed and longer than nine hours per day.

Under state law, 16- and 17-year-olds are not allowed to work beyond 10 p.m. on a school night or midnight on a non-school night.

Healey's office said there were an estimated 2,100 violations in Wendy's across the state.

Wendy's has taken steps to put an end to the violations, Healey's office said. In addition to training and auditing efforts, minors must wear a red visor to let managers know they are under 18.

"Employers have a duty to follow our child labor laws and protect their young employees," Healey said. "Wendy’s came into compliance as a result of our investigation and took meaningful steps to ensure a safe and productive work environment for its young workers."

Half of the $400,000 settlement will go to a fund that educates about and enforces child labor laws.

Healey's office has been cracking down on child labor law violations at food chains. Recently Chipotle was hit with a $2 million citation for more than 13,000 violations, while Qdoba had to pay $400,000 for more than 1,000 violations.

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