DOL fines Little Caesars franchises for child labor safety violations

The U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division issued a total of $161,050 in penalties to seven Tennessee Little Caesars franchises for child labor violations that include safety hazard standards violations.

Investigators found employers J Pizza Service LLC and S&S Pizza LLC, both operating as Little Caesars, allowed 15-year-old workers to engage in prohibited and hazardous activities such as preparing food for baking, removing food from ovens and operating a vertical stand-up mixing machine.

Investigators also found the employers scheduled 15-year-old employees to work after 7 p.m. and more than 18 hours in a school week, as well as past 9 p.m. and more than 40 hours in a week when school was not in session.

In addition, investigators found the employers failed to account for all hours worked and, as a result, did not pay workers at least minimum wage and overtime in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act.