The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry fined a 21-unit Wendy’s franchisee for 766 violations of the state’s Child Labor Act last year.
GCWen Management owns stores in southeastern Pennsylvania. The labor department announced the $300,000 fine January 24. GCWen is also required to complete training about the Pennsylvania Child Labor Act, and how to properly follow its laws.
According to the department, more than 80 children were impacted. The department received a tip from the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation about child employee’s minor injuries.
The Wendy’s franchisee reportedly allowed children to work excessive hours on 208 occasions, which involved 34 children.
GCWen reportedly had 432 instances of not providing breaks “on or before the fifth hour of work,” as required by state law, which impacted 81 kids.
Other violations include 18 instances of not securing proper work permits, parents not providing authorization for 10 children and 98 violations of not reporting employment to the respective school districts.
Wendy’s and GCWen did not immediately respond to request for comment.
Other Franchisees Violate Child Labor Laws
A 14-unit Subway franchisee was accused last year of violating child labor laws in California. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division obtained a preliminary injunction against the franchisees—John Meza and his wife, Jessica—in May.
The court filed its judgment and permanent injunction September 27. The judgment states the Mezas must pay 184 workers $475,000 in wages, another $475,000 in liquidated damages, $12,000 in punitive damages for “retaliatory conduct” and $150,000 in penalties. Hamza Ayesh, MZS Enterprises LLC and Crave Brands LLC are also named defendants. The LLCs are owned by the Mezas, according to the filing.
Related: Child Labor Violations Call Responsibility into Question
A McDonald’s franchisee, Bauer Foods LLC, was fined in May for employing two 10-year-old children in Kentucky, among other charges. McDonald’s issued a statement to Franchise Times stating that Bauer Foods didn’t authorize the children to work, and that they were those of the restaurant’s night manager.