McDonald’s franchises in Louisiana and Texas penalized for illegally employing over 80 minors
Asher Notheis
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The Department of Labor determined that two McDonald’s franchisees, in Louisiana and Texas, illegally employed a combined total of over 80 children between the ages of 14 and 15 years old.
Investigators with the department found that CLB Investments LLC in Metairie in Louisiana had employed 72 teenagers across 12 locations to work longer and later than the law allows, with CLB Investments fined $56,105 as a penalty. The department determined the employer had allowed three children to operate manual deep fryers, which is prohibited for employees under 16 years old, according to a news release from the department.
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“Employers must never jeopardize the safety and well-being of young workers or interfere with their education,” explained Wage and Hour Division Regional Administrator Betty Campbell in Dallas. “While learning new skills in the workforce is an important part of growing up, an employer’s first obligation is to make sure minor-aged children are protected from potential workplace hazards.”
In Texas, the department found that Marwen & Son LLC had employed 10 teenagers to work hours longer and later than permitted, and also allowed seven children to perform jobs considered hazardous for young workers. The department fined Marwen & Son LLC $21,466 for its violations.
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In May, the department fined three McDonald’s franchisees over $212,000 for employing over 300 minors, including two 10-year-olds.
In 2021, an Oregon McDonald’s restaurant was spotted putting up a sign that stated it was hiring people as young as 14 due to “staffing issues.” Heather Coleman, the Medford McDonald’s restaurant’s operator, explained that while raising the minimum wage to $15 per hour did not attract many new applicants, lowering the hiring age to 14 brought in some 25 applicants in two weeks.