Teen Dunkin’ employees worked too late and too many hours, feds say. Franchisee fined

Dozens of teen employees were allowed to work too late, and for too many weekly hours, at three Dunkin’ locations in Pennsylvania, according to federal officials.

Specifically, the U.S. Department of Labor says 39 Dunkin’ workers — ages 14 and 15 — could work:

• More than three hours on school days
• Past 7 p.m. on school nights
• More than 18 hours during a school week
• Over 8 hours on non-school days, and
• Past 9 p.m. during summer vacation.

Now a Dunkin’ franchisee has agreed to pay $24,332 following a Labor Department investigation, according to a Sept. 6 news release. Akshar Ashish LLC also agreed to conduct child labor training for managers, provide child labor publications to teen workers and their parents, and provide a phone number for people to anonymously report child labor violations.

“The employer also agreed to require minors to wear different colored name tags so managers can easily identify minors under 16 years of age, and place signage and stop stickers on hazardous equipment,” according to the news release.

Akshar Ashish LLC and Dunkin’ did not immediately respond to requests for comment from McClatchy News on Sept. 6.

Authorities say the teens worked at Dunkin’ locations owned by Akshar Ashish LLC in Hershey, Hummelstown and Palmyra.

“Employers who choose to hire young workers have a legal responsibility to know and abide by the federal laws that govern their employment,” Wage and Hour District Director Alfonso Gristina said in a statement. “These obligations include ensuring minors only work during permitted hours, so employment does not interfere with their education, health and well-being.”

The three stores, in Dauphin and Lebanon counties, are about 100 miles northwest of Philadelphia.

This story was originally published September 6, 2022 at 10:53 AM with the headline "Teen Dunkin’ employees worked too late and too many hours, feds say. Franchisee fined."