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SALT LAKE CITY — Eight Baskin Robbins locations in Utah have been fined $49,833 by the U.S. Department of Labor for violating federal child labor laws, the department announced Thursday.
JODE LLC — operating as Baskin Robbins — violated federal law by allowing 64 minors aged 14 to 15 years old to work too late in the day and for too many hours in a week while school was in session, the labor department said in a statement.
The restaurants that have been fined are located in American Fork, Bountiful, Clearfield, Layton, Salt Lake City, Sandy, West Jordan and West Valley City. The employer told the department it "relied on erroneous legal guidance" advising it to follow less-restrictive state guidelines instead of federal requirements for employing minors, leading to the penalties, the department said.
"Employers must be aware of, and comply with, all federal labor standards, particularly when it comes to young workers," Kevin Hunt, wage and hour district director in Salt Lake City, said in a statement.
Additionally, the department said several record-keeping violations were discovered during the investigation.
"Where a disparity exists between federal and state laws, employers must adhere to the most stringent standards. We encourage employers and employees to contact our office directly to get accurate information pertaining to federal labor laws and avoid an unfortunate situation like this one," Hunt said.
In January, the labor department fined three Cold Stone Creamery locations $42,714 for violation of child labor laws.
