Farmington Hills Little Caesars Fined for Child Labor Violations

Little Caesars pizza restaurant in Farmington Hills, MI.

News Summary

A Little Caesars in Farmington Hills, MI, has been penalized over $26,000 for violating child labor laws. Young workers were found using unsafe equipment and working late hours, breaching federal regulations. This raises concerns about the safety and education of minors in the workplace.

Farmington Hills Little Caesars Faces Significant Child Labor Violations

In a startling turn of events, a Little Caesars pizza restaurant located in the bustling city of Farmington Hills, MI, has been hit with a hefty fine of over 26 thousand dollars for breaching child labor laws. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division uncovered these disturbing violations through a thorough investigation.

Minors in Hot Water – Literally!

The operator of the restaurant, JMP Pizza Inc., was found to have allowed young workers to take on tasks that are strictly forbidden under federal law. Can you believe it? One of the minors, who was under the legal age of 16, was tasked with using an oven that operates at blistering temperatures between 500 and 900 degrees Fahrenheit. That alone raises some red flags about the safety of these young workers.

But it gets even more alarming! This same underage employee was also directed to handle a pizza dough mixer, which is another dangerous piece of equipment. The rules are quite clear: minors under 16 are prohibited from engaging in baking activities and face strict limitations on what cooking tasks they can perform. It’s not just about staying safe; these regulations are in place to protect the well-being of young employees.

Breaking the Rules – Late Nights and Long Hours

Things didn’t stop there. The investigation revealed that three young workers were permitted to work beyond 7 p.m. on school nights, which flatly contradicts federal labor laws. During the school year, children must adhere to a strict curfew of 7 p.m. when it comes to work, and those rules are designed to ensure that education remains a priority.

During school days, minors can only work for a maximum of three hours. The limits get even tighter; with the school year running from the day after Labor Day to May 31, young workers are capped at 18 hours of work each week. On non-school days, the hours can extend, but they are still restricted to a maximum of 8 hours. Clearly, these regulations are designed to protect youth, but they were unfortunately overlooked in this case.

The Price of Violations

The total penalties imposed on JMP Pizza Inc. for these breaches of child labor laws amounted to a staggering $26,341. It’s a hefty price to pay for putting young workers in potentially hazardous situations and neglecting the established rules meant to ensure their safety and education.

Protecting Young Workers

One of the officials from the Wage and Hour Division highlighted the need for enhancing awareness on the matter, emphasizing that it’s vital to keep young workers in jobs that are not only safe but also respectful of their educational commitments. The Fair Labor Standards Act lays out firm restrictions regarding young workers’ employment to ensure that they are not engaged in high-risk jobs and can concentrate on their schooling.

For those looking for guidance, the YouthRules! initiative serves as an important resource to help young people, parents, and employers navigate appropriate work guidelines.

In the spirit of transparency, the Wage and Hour Division has established a toll-free helpline where employees and employers alike can call for assistance with any questions they may have regarding labor laws.

As more incidents come to light, it’s crucial for businesses and communities to prioritize the safety and education of their young workers. After all, everyone deserves a chance to grow up in a safe environment where they can learn and thrive.