US Mexican restaurant chain operator Chipotle has been slapped with a $1.3 million fine. The company was fined over alleged child labor violations involving more than 13,000 minors, particularly at its restaurants in Massachusetts.
The fine slapped on the company is currently the largest child labor penalty issued by the state of Massachusetts. According to Attorney General Maura Healey, the state's case against the restaurant operator involved an estimated 13,253 child labor violations across the company's more than 50 locations.
Following the imposition of the fine, Chipotle's chief corporate reputation officer, Laurie Schalow, mentioned in a statement that the company was still committed to ensuring that its branches comply with all laws and regulations. Schalow clarified that since it has settled with the state, it will ensure that its store will continue to be compliant with all state labor laws.
Healey mentioned in a released statement that the fine should serve as a message to other restaurants and food chains regarding their responsibilities to the nation's youth. The official added that companies that employ thousands of young people should consider it their duty to ensure a safe working environment.
Massachusetts' attorney general's office openly criticized Chipotle's actions, particularly its "routine" violation of child labor laws from 2015 to 2019. The office also pointed out the company's practice of hiring workers without proper permits. Chipotle currently has 62 restaurants in active operation in Massachusetts.
The investigation of Chipotle's operations found that the company was employing workers under the age of 18. Some employees were reportedly being asked to work past midnight, while others were asked to work more than 48 hours per week. A number of teenage workers that testified against the company revealed that the long hours of work that was being required of them had even affected their schoolwork.
Investigation into the company's labor violations originally started in 2016 following the submission of complaints by concerned parents. One complaint that was filed with the agency revealed that one teenager was working "well past midnight."
On top of the $1.3 million fine, Chipotle has also been slapped with a number of added penalties over violations involving sick time violations and wage violations. Investigators found that the company failed to use proper timesheets and had properly pay some of its workers within the six days of the end of a pay period.
Chipotle was also ordered to pay out an additional $500,000 to a state youth workers fund than provides young laborers with support, education, and regulation enforcement. All in all, the total amount Chipotle will have to dish out to settle its various violations comes close to $2 million.
