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Three teenagers working at a restaurant in North Carolina were operating dangerous machinery in violation of labor laws.
Brandon Bell | Getty Images According to a press release from the U.S. Dept. of Labor, the Highland Square franchisee in Henderson, North Carolina, will have to pay fines for allowing teens to operate a trash compactor.
The Wage and Hour Division of the DOL found that the franchise paid some employees in meal vouchers instead of money. The restaurant will have to pay back wages to seven workers.
According to the DOL, this isn't the first time that a Chick-Fil-A has been fined for child labor. A restaurant in Florida was fined $12,478 for allowing 17 workers to work past 7 pm and for more than 3 hours on school days.
According to the press release, Richard Blaylock, the DOL's Wage and Hour Division Director in Raleigh, North Carolina, said that child labor laws ensure that when young people work, the work doesn't jeopardize their health, well-being or educational opportunities. Employers are required to pay their workers in cash or legal tender if they want to do so.
The Charlotte Observer states that in July of 2022, the same location posted a notice on its Facebook page seeking volunteers to work the drive-through. After the post went viral, the restauant removed it.
The restaurant pulled the plug on the program after being contacted by Business Insider, who said that it did not endorse asking for volunteers.
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