Wage and Hour Division (WHD)

Printer-Friendly Version

Press Releases

CLEVELAND --

The U.S. Labor Department's Wage and Hour Division has cited Renrok Construction Corp., a Mentor, Ohio, company, for employing six minors as roofers, one of whom was seriously injured after falling from a roof.

The agency has assessed $66,000 in penalties, and the department has filed suit in federal district court to prohibit the business from illegally employing minors in the future. Renrock Construction has asked for a hearing before an administrative law judge on the matter of the civil money penalties. The hearing is not yet scheduled.

"A part-time job can provide teens with valuable experience, but work that is inherently dangerous and should be performed only by experienced workers is not appropriate for young people," said David Rodenhausen, assistant district director of the Cleveland Wage and Hour Office.

Most teens work in retail establishments, restaurants and supermarkets. Under federal regulations, roofing jobs, jobs operating paper balers, meat slicers, dough mixers and wood working machines and most driving are designated as too dangerous for workers under the age of 18.

Work hours also are restricted for workers under 16. During school months, work hours are limited to after 7 a.m. and before 7 p.m., with limits of three hours on a school day and 18 hours in a school week. During the summer months they may work eight hours a day, 40 hours during a workweek and until 9 p.m.

The Wage and Hour Division enforces the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), which requires payment of the federal minimum wage and time and one-half an employee's regular rate of pay for hours worked over 40 in a week. For more information about the FLSA and child labor regulations, call the Labor Department's toll-free help line at 1-866-4USWAGE (1-866-487-9243); visit the Internet at www.wagehour.dol.gov or call the Cleveland District Office at 216-357-5419.

###

U.S. Department of Labor releases are accessible on the Internet at www.dol.gov. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format (large print, Braille, audio tape or disc) from the COAST office upon request. Please specify which news release when placing your request at (202) 693-7828 or TTY (202) 693-7755. The Labor Department is committed to providing America’s employers and employees with easy access to understandable information on how to comply with its laws and regulations. For more information, please visit www.dol.gov/compliance.