3 Union County McDonald's Hit With Child Labor Violation Fines

UNION COUNTY — Eleven New Jersey McDonald's locations were fined after violating child labor regulations, the U.S. Department of Labor said in a statement. Three of those locations are in Union County.

S&P Enterprises Inc., a New York company that owns McDonald's franchises across northern New Jersey, paid a fine of $8,829 after 14- and 15-year-old employees worked too many hours and too late at night during school days. According to the Department of Labor, the teens worked past 7 p.m. on school nights, worked more than three hours on a school day, more than eight hours on a non-school day, and more than 18 hours during a school week, above what is set by the law.

“Child labor laws protect the educational opportunities of minors, and ensure that their employment does not come at the expense of their health or well-being,” said John Warner, WHD Northern New Jersey District Director. “This case demonstrates how child labor violations can occur when front-line supervisors do not comply with the law’s requirements, and fail to monitor minor employees’ hours. The Department of Labor offers a variety of tools for employers to ensure that staff is trained and everyone is onboard to keep young workers protected.”

The violations took place at the following Union County locations, nj.com reported:

• North Avenue, Elizabeth
• St. George Avenue, Roselle
• Route 1, Rahway

There were also violations at locations in Bergen, Passaic, and Morris counties:

• Route 17 South, Mahwah
• Hamburg Turnpike, Wayne
• Franklin Avenue, Wyckoff
• Columbia Turnpike, Florham Park
• Route 23 South, Butler
• Berkshire Valley Road, Jefferson
• Route 46 West, Montville
• Route 10 East, Roxbury

(Image via Shutterstock)

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.

Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Download here.