TRENTON – New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo and Attorney General Matt Platkin announced today that they have reached an agreement with Chipotle Mexican Grill to resolve alleged widespread and persistent violations of the state’s child labor laws. Under today’s groundbreaking settlement with NJDOL, the popular fast-food restaurant chain will pay $7.75 million, and has agreed to a far-reaching compliance plan for its 85 New Jersey locations aimed at putting an end to these practices.

The penalty arises from a 2020 NJDOL audit that identified approximately 30,660 alleged violations impacting minors at Chipotle locations across the state. The alleged violations include Chipotle’s failure to abide by limits on the number of hours minors are allowed to work and its failure to provide them timely and sufficient meal breaks. The franchise has cooperated with NJDOL to develop and implement measures to monitor future compliance and this week signed an agreement memorializing these terms.

All penalties received go to the NJDOL’s Child Labor Law Enforcement Trust Fund. The fund is used to enforce laws protecting children in the workplace, and to educate employers, employer organizations, employees, unions, teachers, counselors, and other professionals engaged in work involving minors.

“This record settlement represents a significant public-private partnership aimed at protecting minors from workplace abuses,” said Labor...

Read Full Story: https://www.njoag.gov/nj-department-of-labor-and-workforce-development-attorn...