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ESA-WHD New Release: [03/26/2001]
Contact Name: Brad Mitchell
Phone Number:
Juan Solano (312) 353-6976
Release Number: V-2001-361
U.S. Labor Department Will Investigate Grocery Stores in Winnebago County, Ill., for Compliance With Wage and Hour Laws
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor will begin a special enforcement initiative in April to ensure grocery stores in Winnebago County, Ill., are complying with federal minimum wage, overtime pay, and child labor laws.
Wage and Hour District Director Dennis McInerney in Chicago said, "This initiative will help protect vulnerable, young workers in Winnebago County and will educate employers on the requirements of the law."
Last year the department conducted an investigation-based nationwide survey of compliance with the child labor provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act in grocery stores. Young workers in this industry experience high incidences of occupational injuries. The survey reported a child labor compliance level of 82 percent among grocery stores nationwide. The Illinois initiative is being launched as a follow-up to the survey with the goal of improving the level of compliance in that area.
Youths 14 and 15 years of age may be employed as office workers, cashiers, price markers, baggers and in other jobs – but only outside of school hours and for limited periods of time. Minors under 14 years of age may not work in nonagricultural jobs.
The Labor Department's Wage and Hour Division enforces federal child labor laws. The regulations detail hours that minors under 16 may work and specify hazardous occupations prohibited for minors under the age of 18.
The Teen Drive for Employment Act, effective October 31, 1998, amended the Fair Labor Standards Act. Seventeen-year-olds may occasionally drive cars and light trucks for their employer during daylight hours. The teens must hold a state license valid for the type of driving being performed, have successfully completed state-approved driver education, and have no record of any moving violation at the time of hire. The federal law also prohibits towing of vehicles, route deliveries, and other types of driving. Minors under 17 years of age may not drive as part of their employment.
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). They may not work before 7:00 a.m. In addition, they may not work more than three hours on school days nor more than 18 hours in a school week. These minors may work up to eight hours on non-school days, or 40 hours during non-school weeks.
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This information will be made available to sensory impaired individuals upon request. Voice phone: (312) 353-6976; TDD Message Referral Phone: 1-800-800-4571.
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