Oakland Co. Restaurant Violates Child Labor Laws, Hit With Fines: Feds

WIXOM, MI — Federal officials fined a Culver’s restaurant in Wixom after they said employers allowed numerous teens to work more hours than laws permit.

Union Pacific Foods Inc. (operator of the Culver’s franchise) was forced to pay $13,212 in civil money penalties after investigators found 18 teens between the ages of 14 and 15 were allowed to work longer hours than legally permitted under law, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

Officials said the minors consistently worked more than three hours on a school day, more than 18 hours in a school week, more than eight hours on a non-school day later than 7 p.m. during the school year and later than 9 p.m. from June 1st through Labor Day.

All are violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act.

"Permitting young workers to work excessive hours can jeopardize their safety, well-being and education," Wage and Hour Division District Director Timolin Mitchell said. "Employers like Culver’s who hire young workers must understand and comply with federal child labor laws or face costly consequences."

The FLSA prohibits 14-year-old and 15-year-old employees from working later than 9 p.m. from June 1 through Labor Day and past 7 p.m., the remainder of the year.

In addition, they cannot work more than three hours on a school day, eight hours on a non-school day or more than 18-hours per week.

Additionally, minors are prohibited from operating motor vehicles, forklifts and using other hazardous equipment or engaging in occupations deemed hazardous by federal labor laws.