North Georgia Zaxby Fined for Child Labor Violations – WSB-TV Channel 2

CLARKESVILLE, Georgia — A Zaxby’s in Clarkesville has been fined $15,000 after a Labor Department investigation found 19 underage employees were forced to work outside of legally permitted hours.

According to the Department of Labor, the McDreams Enterprises franchised location allows minors to work during school hours and more than three hours per school day, as well as shifts longer than eight hours on non-school days. Both shift lengths are illegal under federal law.

The 19 workers, all between the ages of 14 and 15, worked more than 18 hours during school weeks before 7am or after 7pm, also in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act, according to USDOL.

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In addition to the illegal hours worked, the investigation found that “the employer allowed 15-year-old employees to operate a fryer without automatic controls to lift the frying basket in and out of the hot oil or fat,” which is a prohibited task for smaller workers.

The investigation also found that two general managers did not meet the minimum weekly wage of $684 for an overtime waiver.

According to USDOL, McDreams Enterprises lost the ability to claim overtime time off for its employees and owed them time and a half payment for the hours the two general managers worked.

McDreams Enterprises was fined $15,979 for child labor violations, according to USDOL, while the two employees were fined $1,177.

“With the widespread employment of underage workers in the hospitality industry, many employers need to understand the laws that regulate when, how often and for how long underage workers work and what duties are assigned to them. Employers must carefully walk the fine line between providing meaningful work experience for minors and jeopardizing their safety, welfare and education,” said Steven Salazar, district manager for the Wage and Hour Division in Atlanta. “We encourage employers, parents, educators and young workers to take advantage of the variety of resources we provide and attend our upcoming webinar on April 26 to learn about their legal obligations and rights.”

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A spokesman for Zaxby released a statement to Channel 2 Action News on Friday night, which read:

At Zaxby’s, we care about the safety and well-being of everyone at Zaxby’s team. The Clarksville, Georgia site is independently owned and operated by a licensee from Zaxby’s. Zaxby’s requires all of its licensees to take steps to ensure regulatory compliance. Zaxby’s recognizes that while junior team members are given the opportunity to gain valuable work experience, such work should not compromise their safety or interfere with their education.

Channel 2 Action News also reached out to Zaxby’s location by phone and an email address for someone listed as being affiliated with McDreams Enterprises, but received no response.

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