Blogs

The trend in significant child labor violations across the United States continues, several of which have made national headlines. Meanwhile, some states are looking to relax local child labor laws to ease their labor shortages. The result is an age-old conflict between state and federal laws and conflicting messages to employers. 

This summer, several child labor violations were investigated at McDonald’s franchises in Louisiana, Texas, and Kentucky. Minors were working longer and later hours than the law permits. Additionally, there were minors performing jobs that were prohibited or considered hazardous for young workers, such as operating manual deep fryers. You can read the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) news release here.  

McDonald’s isn’t the only restaurant chain that has had trouble with child labor laws. A Google search or a search on the DOL website reveals that Chick-fil-A, Little Caesars, and Chipotle, to name a few, have as well. These examples are a reminder that child labor violations may be happening closer to home than you think and in a variety of industries, not just big manufacturing sites, farms, or poultry plants.   

While the current administration’s DOL has taken child labor violations head on as a priority issue, a few states have a very different approach. Iowa, Minnesota, Ohio, and Arkansas, among others, have passed or are considering legislation allowing companies to hire youths without work permits, allowing them to work longer and later hours and to work in jobs that were previously prohibited, such as serving alcohol. 

When there is a conflict between the federal and state child labor laws, employers can help avoid legal liability by complying with the most restrictive law. 

For additional information on child labor rules and regulations that impact your organization, see the resources below or reach out to Employers Council at info@employerscouncil.org.