USA TODAY NETWORK
BOSTON – The Berkley-based operator of 18 Dunkin’ franchises in Bristol, Norfolk and Plymouth counties has been fined for not keeping track of how many hours employees under age 16 worked and allowing some to operate a dangerous machine, following a U.S. Department of Labor investigation.
The department’s Wage and Hour Division learned that Fernando Sardinha, the Dunkin’ franchisee, and his businesses allowed 21 workers, ages 14 and 15, to work more hours than federal law allows at 12 locations in Assonet, Berkley, Hanover, Marion, Mattapoisett, Middleboro and Weymouth.
The division also determined that the employer permitted three employees under age 16 at the Wareham Street location in Middleboro to operate an oven used to make sandwiches, which is a hazardous occupation for young workers.
The division assessed Sardinha and his businesses with $20,121 in civil money penalties to resolve their violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act’s child labor provisions. As part of a settlement agreement, the employers agreed to the following to ensure future FLSA compliance at all of their business locations:
Not employ minors under 14 years of age.
Create an internal policy to comply with child labor hours standards.
Provide color-coded stickers for name tags to identify minor-aged employees.
Conduct child labor training sessions with supervisors and managers upon hire and provide them with child labor publications.
Provide all employees under the age of 18...
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