Sodalicious illegally allowed young teens to work more hours and times than permitted
SALT LAKE CITY – The operators of a growing chain of specialty beverage and dessert shops founded in Utah employed 19 young teens for more hours and times than federal law permits, a U.S. Department of Labor investigation has found.
The investigation came as part of a heightened education and enforcement effort by the department’s Wage and Hour Division as the agency reported more than 3,800 minors employed in violation of child labor laws in fiscal year 2022, an annual increase of 37 percent. The rise follows the addition of more young workers to the workforce during and after the pandemic.
The division determined that Sodalicious allowed 14- and 15-year-old employees to work past 7 p.m. when school was in session, after 9 p.m. during summer months, and more than 3 hours on a school day at four of its Utah locations in Midvale, Orem, Provo and South Jordan. By doing so, the employer violated the Fair Labor Standards Act’s provisions for employing youth in restaurants and quick-service establishments.
“Our investigators continue to see an increase in child labor violations, especially in the food service industry,” explained Wage and Hour Southwest Regional Administrator Betty Campbell. “Employers like Sodalicious are legally responsible for knowing and complying with federal child labor laws and making sure their employment practices do not jeopardize the safety of young workers or...
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