Wage and Hour Division (WHD)

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- A Richmond, Mo., Taco Bell franchisee, Border Enterprises Inc., has paid $24,200 in civil money penalties for violations of the youth employment provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) that resulted in the death of a 17-year old minor.

The 17-year-old was killed in a traffic accident while driving to pick up provisions for the restaurant in violation of the federal youth employment hazardous occupation order that prohibits minors under the age of 18 from driving a motor vehicle as part of their employment. An investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division found two other minors, ages 16 and 17, also employed by the restaurant in violation of the same hazardous occupation order.

“Youth employment laws are intended to protect young workers from dangerous jobs while still providing opportunities for safe, positive work experiences,” said Karen Chaikin, district director in Kansas City for the Wage and Hour Division. “This tragic incident might have been avoided if the employer had complied with the law.”

The FLSA and youth employment regulations establish the hours during which youth under the age of 16 may work and restrict employment in specific hazardous occupations for all youth under the age of 18. Hazardous Occupation Order No. 2 prohibits youth under the age of 18 from driving motor vehicles on public roads as part of their jobs. Seventeen-year-olds may drive only in limited circumstances and may not be engaged in urgent, time-sensitive deliveries.

The Labor Department has launched a YouthRules! Web page at www.youthrules.dol.gov to help young workers, employees and parents learn more information about the hours youth may work and the jobs they may perform under the youth employment provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act. For more information about the FLSA, call the toll-free help line at 1-866-4USWAGE (1-866-487-9243) or click on the “Wages” topic on the Internet at www.dol.gov.

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