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 Printer-Friendly Version
ESA-WHD New Release: [06/12/1997]
Contact Name: Brad Mitchell or Juan Solano
Phone Number: (312) 353-6976
Release Number: V-176
PATZ MART INC., HEBRON, IND., PAYS CHILD LABOR CIVIL MONEY PENALTY OF $9,400 AFTER 15-YEAR-OLD MINOR ALLEGEDLY FALLS FROM TOW MOTOR AND INJURES KNEE
Chicago — Patz Mart Inc., 800 Country Square, Hebron, Ind., has paid a civil money penalty of $9,400 for child labor violations alleged by the U.S. Department of Labor.
The Labor Department alleged that three minors, age 15, were employed contrary to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the federal wage-hour law. One minor injured his knee while unloading trucks in violation of child labor regulations. Two other minors worked more hours than permitted for minors under 16 years of age. The alleged violations occurred during September 1996 to January 1997.
The minor allegedly fell from the back of a tow motor that another employee was driving. The two workers were unloading groceries from the back of a truck. The minor had surgery on his knee and was not able to return to work for more than four months.
Two other minors worked over 18 hours during a school week. Under federal child labor regulations, minors may not work over 18 hours during a school week.
Donald J. Laurent, district director of the Labor Department’s Wage and Hour Division in South Bend stated, "This serious injury reminds us of the need for the safe employment of underage minors."
Patz Mart Inc. did not file a timely exception letter to the civil money penalty. In an exception letter, an employer has the opportunity to provide specific reasons why any or all of the alleged violations did not occur.
The Wage and Hour Division of the Labor Department's Employment Standards Administration enforces federal child labor laws. The regulations detail hours that minors under 16 years of age may work. In addition, the regulations specify hazardous occupations prohibited for minors under 18 years of age.
Employers who violate the child labor provisions may be assessed up to $10,000 for each violation.
Under federal law, 14 and 15-year-olds may work outside school hours, but not later than 7:00 p.m. (9:00 p.m. from June 1 until Labor Day). In addition, they may work up to three hours on school days and 18 hours during a school week. They may work eight hours on non-school days and 40 hours in non-school weeks.
The investigation was conducted by the Wage and Hour District Office, 501 East Monroe St., South Bend, Ind., under the supervision of Donald J. Laurent, district director.
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