Three McDonald’s franchisees are facing fines exceeding $200,000 for violating federal child labor laws, including employing and failing to pay two 10-year-olds, the Department of Labor (DOL) announced on Tuesday.
The franchisees—Bauer Food, Archways Richwood, and Bell Restaurant Group—operate a combined total of 62 locations across Kentucky, Indiana, Maryland, and Ohio.
The DOL found that these franchisees illegally employed 305 minors at their restaurants. The total fine imposed is $212,544, according to the DOL.
At a Bauer Foods location, two 10-year-olds were found to be working, including cleaning the restaurant, operating the drive-thru window, and preparing and sending out food orders.
Their shifts sometimes extended until 2 a.m., and one of the children operated the deep fryer, a task restricted to employees aged 16 and older. Bauer Foods stated that these children were not authorized to work in those capacities.
“Any ‘work’ performed was done under the direction of—and in the presence of—the parent, without authorization from the franchisee organization management or leadership,” Bauer Foods said.
Additionally, Bauer Food employed 24 minors under the age of 16 who worked more hours than legally permitted. Bauer Food has been fined $39,711.
The DOL notes that the minimum employment age is typically 14, though it can vary based on the minor’s age and the nature of the job.
McDonald’s Senior Vice President Tiffanie Boyd commented, “These reports are unacceptable, deeply troubling, and run afoul of the high expectations we have for the entire McDonald’s brand.
We are acutely aware of the significant responsibility we have to ensure a positive and safe experience for everyone under the Arches.
We are committed to providing our franchisees with the resources they need to create safe workplaces and maintain compliance with all labor laws.”
Federal child labor laws stipulate that 14- and 15-year-olds must work outside of school hours and cannot exceed three hours on a school day or eight hours on a non-school day.
They are also limited to 18 hours per week during the school term and 40 hours per week during non-school weeks.
Their working hours are restricted to between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., except during the period from June 1 to Labor Day, when they may work until 9 p.m.
Bell Restaurant Group was found to have 39 employees, ages 14 and 15, working beyond the legal limits, including during school hours. The company has been fined $29,267. The DOL also recovered nearly $15,000 in back pay for 58 employees.
Archways Richwood allowed 242 minors, ages 14 and 15, to work more hours than permitted and has been fined $143,566.
