McDonald's Franchise Hit with Civil Penalty for Violating Child Labor Laws in Texas
A McDonald's franchise in Louisiana and Texas violated child labor laws by employing over 80 minors, some as young as 14. The franchise has been hit with a $56,106 civil penalty. This is not the first time McDonald's franchises have faced scrutiny for child labor violations. McDonald's USA has acknowledged the severity of the issue and is committed to ensuring compliance with all labor laws. Similar violations were also found at McDonald's locations operated by Marwen & Son LLC in Texas, resulting in civil penalties of $21,466. Employers must prioritize the safety and well-being of young workers and their education.
A McDonald's franchise operating in Louisiana and Texas has been found to have violated child labor laws by employing over 80 minors aged 14 and 15, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
CLB Investments LLC, which oversees 12 restaurants in metro New Orleans, allowed these young workers to work longer and later than what is permissible under federal regulations. Even more disturbingly, three children were found operating manual deep fryers, a clear violation for employees under 16.
As a result of these violations, the franchise has been hit with a significant civil penalty of $56,106. The Labor Department emphasized the seriousness of the situation, stating that employers should never compromise the safety and well-being of young workers or disrupt their education.
Unfortunately, this is not the first time that McDonald's franchises have faced scrutiny for child labor violations. Earlier this year, federal investigations revealed that three McDonald's franchise operators across four states had violated child labor laws, affecting over 300 children, some as young as 10 years old, at 62 locations.
Tiffanie Boyd, Chief People Officer of McDonald’s USA, acknowledged the severity of the issue and affirmed the company's commitment to ensuring compliance with all labor laws. In response to these labor law violations, Chris Bardell, the owner/operator of the affected New Orleans locations, has taken action.
He has implemented mandatory child labor law trainings for restaurant managers and conducted regular audits to ensure compliance with labor regulations. The violations of child labor laws were not limited to just Louisiana. The Labor Department's Wage and Hour Division also found similar violations at four McDonald's locations operated by Marwen & Son LLC in Texas.
The company employed 10 minors aged 14 to 15 to work longer shifts than permitted by law. Additionally, seven children were allowed to operate a manual fryer and oven, and two of them were even allowed to operate a trash compactor. Marwen & Son faced civil penalties amounting to $21,466.
Wage and Hour Division Regional Administrator Betty Campbell emphasized that employers must never put the safety and well-being of young workers at risk or interfere with their education. While learning new skills in the workforce is important for young individuals, it is the employer's responsibility to ensure that minor-aged children are protected from potential workplace hazards.
These recent findings come in the wake of federal investigations in May that uncovered child labor law violations by three McDonald's franchise operators, impacting over 300 children as young as 10 years old at 62 locations across four states. McDonald's USA, through their Chief People Officer Tiffanie Boyd, expressed their commitment to addressing these issues and providing franchisees with the necessary resources to comply with all U.S. labor laws.
