Qdoba Cited For 1,000+ Child Labor Violations In MA

Qdoba Restaurant Corporation faces more than $400,000 in penalties after Attorney General Maura Healy's office found thousands of violations, including more than 1,000 child labor law violations at 22 Massachusetts locations, Healy said Wednesday. Among the violations were minors working too late at night and too many hours per shift.

Healy's office did not release a list of the locations, but said they were all corporately owned.

"A young worker’s first job is critical in teaching them about workplace rules, responsibility, and safety," Healy said. "We remain committed to ensuring that employers understand and follow the rights of all workers across Massachusetts."

State investigators found more than 1,000 instances of a minor working later than 10:30 p.m. on a school night, nearly 200 instances of a minor working more than 11 hours a shift, and 18 instances of a minor working more than 48 hours a week, Healy said. She also said Qdoba failed to get work permits for hiring minors on more than 25 occasions.

The $409,000 in citations consists of $250 penalties for each violation. Healy said Qdoba was guilty of violations into May of this year, more than a year after the investigation began.

State law says children under 18 cannot work more than nine hours a day or 48 hours a week. Workers who are 14 and 15 cannot work later than 7 p.m., while 16- and 17-year-olds cannot work later than 10 on a school night.