The Department of Labor and Industries has fined fast food company Carl’s Jr. $26,450 for multiple instances in which teenage employees at a Woodland restaurant worked more than the maximum number of hours allowed under law.
An L&I investigation of the Carl’s Jr. location at 1519 Pacific Ave. in Woodland found more than 500 instances in which individuals from a group of 15 teenage employees ages 16 and 17 had exceeded their allowable hours.
The investigation took place between March and July. According to L&I, Carl’s Jr. was cooperative during the investigation and paid the fine.
“We want businesses to hire teens, who gain valuable skills and positive experiences,” L&I youth employment specialist Josie Bryan said in a press release. “Our goal is to make sure young workers are safe and help businesses comply with the law.”
Carl’s Jr. is owned by CKE Restaurants Holdings Inc., which is based in Franklin, Tenn.
State law limits the number of hours that teenagers can work, and the restrictions are tighter when school is in session. During school weeks, 14- and 15-year-olds in non-agricultural jobs are limited to three hours per day on weekdays and eight hours per day on weekends, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. They may not work more than 16 total hours in a given week, and they may not work more than six days in a given week.
Sixteen- and 17-year-olds in non-agricultural jobs are limited to four hours per day on weekdays and eight hours per day on weekends, between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. (or midnight on Friday and Saturday nights). They may not work more than 20 total hours in a given week, and they may not work more than six days in a given week.
During summer vacation, winter break and other non-school weeks, 14- and 15-year-olds are allowed to work up to eight hours per day and up to 40 hours per week. Sixteen- and 17-year-olds are allowed to work up to eight hours per day and up to 48 hours per week, and they can also start working as early as 5 a.m. All the other restrictions still apply.
News of the Carl’s Jr. citation was announced alongside a report of a similar citation issued to a Family Fun Center in Tukwila, which was fined $34,800 for more than 650 instances of overworking teenage employees. According to the L&I press release, the collective 1,150 violations were a record for the agency.
“In my experience, the total number of occurrences is the most we’ve ever issued,” Bryan said. “Laws that limit the hours youth work are in place for their safety, and to ensure school is the priority.”
