Pays $17K in penalties, launches pro-active measures to prevent future violations

LEXINGTON, SC – A U.S. Department of Labor investigation that found child labor violations at nine Burger King franchise locations in the Columbia area has prompted the restaurants’ operator to enter into a compliance agreement and change the way it operates to improve working conditions for minor-aged workers at all current and future locations of this brand.

Investigators with the department’s Wage and Hour Division reviewed the time records of Applegreen USA Central Services LLC – operating as Burger King – and found the employer allowed 26 minor-aged employees, ages 14 and 15, to work more than 3 hours on a school day, and past 7 p.m. while school was in session. By permitting these employees to work outside of permitted hours with school in session, Applegreen USA Central Services violated the Fair Labor Standards Act, and was assessed $17,966 in civil money penalties to address the violation.

The investigation’s findings motivated the franchisee to work with the division to review workplace practices at their Burger King locations and, as a result, Applegreen USA Central Services LLC will take the following steps to ensure future compliance with federal laws:

• Enforce child labor regulations to include adhering to the hours standards for minors.
• Require all managers to complete a compliance acknowledgement after receiving the division’s fact sheet for employing youth in restaurants.
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Read Full Story: https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/whd/whd20220901