Federal investigators in Louisiana and Texas have uncovered child labor violations at 16 McDonald’s franchise locations affecting 83 teen workers.
The Department of Labor (DOL) Wage and Hour Division found that these franchise locations were allowing teen workers to operate manual deep fryers and trash compactors, jobs that the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) calls too hazardous for teens under the age of 16.
This announcement follows May 2023 investigations that found child labor violations from three McDonald’s franchise operators in Kentucky involving more than 300 children at 62 locations in four states.
In Louisiana, investigators found that CLB Investments LLC employed 72 teen workers and allowed them to work later than the law permits at 12 restaurants in Kenner, Jefferson, Metairie and New Orleans. The company also allowed three teens under the age of 16 to operate manual deep fryers. CLB Investments was fined $56,106 for the violations.
Similar violations were found at four McDonald’s locations operated in Texas by Marwen & Son LLC. Ten 14- and 15-year-old workers were allowed to work longer hours than federal law permits. Seven of the teen workers were allowed to operate manual deep fryers and two were tasked with operating a trash compactor. Marwen & Son was fined $21,466 for these violations.
In fiscal year 2022, the Wage and Hour division found child labor violations involving 3,876 children nationwide, an increase of more than 60% since 2018.
More information about teen workers and the FLSA can be found at the DOL’s YouthRules! website.
