A couple who operated 13 McDonald’s locations in Pennsylvania have been charged by the feds with more than 100 child labor violations at the burger joints.
The Department of Labor is accusing franchise owners John and Kathleen Santonastasso of working 14- and 15-year-old employees outside of legal hours and allowing them to work on equipment they are underage to operate.
Regulators also found that franchise owners routinely worked minors late on school days and more than eight hours a day on non-school days. Both practices are illegal.
“Allowing young workers to work long hours can put their safety, well-being and education at risk,” said John DuMont, the Labor Department’s director of wages. “Employers who hire young workers must understand and comply with federal child labor laws or face costly consequences.”
An inspector found a minor violation in the operation of the fryer.
Santonastassos paid a civil penalty of $57,332.
DuMont cautioned parents to be especially vigilant about their children’s work hours at this time of year, when employers ask for additional leave assistance.
“Now that the holiday season is approaching, we tend to see more violations as employers try to recruit minors to fill employment gaps,” he said.
In a statement, Santonastassos attributed the violations to “scheduling issues” and added: “our highest priority is always the safety and well-being of our employees, and we have since implemented a number of new and improved processes and procedures to ensure employees are performing . planned accordingly.”
.