According to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), three McDonald’s franchisees employed hundreds of children who were too young to work long or late hours and sometimes put them in dangerous situations. The DOL imposed civil penalties in the amount of $212,544 against the employers.
The DOL investigated employers, Bauer Food, Archways Richwood, and Bell Restaurant Group who operate 62 McDonald’s locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, and Ohio. As a result of its investigation, the DOL found they employed a total of 305 children who worked more hours that legally permitted and engaged in work activities prohibited by child labor law.
Under federal law, children must be at least 14 years old to work at fast-food restaurants. Contrary to this law, the DOL investigators found that Bauer Food employed two 10-year-olds who worked without pay. These child workers were responsible for preparing and distributing food orders, cleaning the store, working at the drive-thru window and operating a register. One of the 10 year olds was unlawfully permitted to operate a deep fryer, which is illegal for workers younger than 16 years old.
The current maximum penalty is $15,138 for routine violations and $68,801 for violations that cause the serious injury or death of a minor.
