HALLOWELL — The Quarry Tap Room was cited earlier this year with more than 600 child labor law violations over a two-year period, carrying a $155,000 penalty.
Steve Lachance, an owner of the Quarry Tap Room, said officials at the Maine Department of Labor was cooperative and helpful throughout the settlement process.
“These laws are in place to protect the youth,” he said. “We’re certainly not above the law, and we admit we did fall short of meeting some of these expectations.”
The bar and restaurant on Water Street was cited in July for a total of 691 child labor law violations involving a dozen or so workers, with the total penalty being worth $172,750. However, the labor department agreed to suspend $155,475 of that penalty if the employer adheres to a settlement agreement and commits no additional violations.
Most violations involved children under 18 working beyond the state’s permitted hours. The department found 78 violations were for five minors under the age of 16 working without a permit, with 62 of these being attributed to one worker between Aug. 30, 2020, and July 20, 2021.
Lachance said the workers involved primarily did duties such as bussing, cleaning tables, and food running, with occasional hosting and dishwashing.
The restaurant had 520 violations pertaining to employing minors under 16 years of age. This can be violated by employing the minor for more than 40 hours a week or eight hours a day when school isn’t in session; more than 18 hours a week or...
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