Multiple McDonald’s franchise locations in the USA have been accused of violating child labour laws by employing more than 100 minors outside of permissible working hours.
Officials from the US Department of Labor carried out an investigation that found child labor violations involving 101 underaged McDonald’s workers in a total of 13 restaurants.
The American multinational fast food chain’s franchisee Santonastasso Enterprises LLC, based in Bridgeville, in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, reportedly breached the Fair Labor Standards Act in restaurants located in the Greater Pittsburgh area.
Company owners John and Kathleen Santonastasso reportedly paid a fine of USD 57,332 (GBP 46,900), after investigators found out they had permitted 14- and 15-year-olds to work for more than three hours and after 7pm on school days.
The teens were also allowed to serve customers later than 9pm between 1st June and Labour Day, when they were only allowed to work until 9pm.
They could also work more more than eight hours on a non-school day, or more than 18 hours a week during the school year, which is also prohibited by law.
In addition, investigators found a violation of child labour standards at a McDonald’s location at 100 Davis Boulevard in Pittsburgh.
They claimed that a teen under the age of 16 was even allowed to operate a deep fryer that was not fitted with a device to automatically lower and raise baskets.
Wage and Hour District Director John DuMont in Pittsburgh said: “Permitting young workers to work excessive hours can jeopardize their safety, well-being and education.
“Employers who hire young workers must understand and comply with federal child labor laws or face costly consequences.”
John and Kathleen Santonastasso commented on the case, saying: “We take our role as a local employer very seriously and we regret any scheduling issues that may have occurred at our restaurants.
“Our biggest priority is always the safety and well-being of our employees and we have since instituted a series of new and enhanced processes and procedures to ensure employees are scheduled appropriately.”
Meanwhile, a McDonald’s USA spokesperson said: “While franchisees make local decisions for their businesses, including around labor and employment practices, they must comply with all state and federal laws, and we expect them to uphold our values in everything they do.
“McDonald’s and our franchisees do not take lightly the positive impact we can deliver – and therefore the profound responsibility we carry – when someone works at a McDonald’s, particularly as their first job.”
A Department of Labor spokesperson stated that in addition to the fine, John and Kathleen Santonastasso had to agree to fully comply with department regulations in the future.
The spokesperson did not disclose whether the department plans to investigate other McDonald’s branches in the country.
Authorities have so far detected over 4,000 child labour violations affecting more than 13,000 minor workers from 2017 to 2021.
