Chipotle was fined over $1.3 million on Monday over violations of child labor laws, according to the Massachusetts Attorney General’s office. The company has been accused of more than 13,000 violations from 2015-2019.
Specifically, Chipotle is accused of overworking minors, as 16 and 17-year-old employees are said to have often worked nine-hour days and over 48 hour weeks, which is a violation of state law.
Many companies have resorted to breaking these rules as of late. The low unemployment rates make it difficult for businesses to find employees willing to work for low wages. To combat this, companies hire young people, and have them work for longer than is allowed for minors.
Other companies have been accused and fined for violating these laws in the past, but the Chipotle case is the largest in state history, according to the Attorney General’s office. This most recent set of violations is another big piece in an ongoing pattern of child labor law violations.
Although the company worked out a settlement, Chipotle did not admit to violating the law. According to Laurie Schalow, the chief corporate reputation officer, the restaurant chain is “committed to ensuring that our restaurants are in full compliance with all laws and regulations,” (New York Times).
The company is also accused of not following rules regarding sick-leave and failing to pay their employees in a timely manner.
This legal trouble is not the first time the company has been part of a controversy. In early 2016, Chipotle dealt with an outbreak of E.Coli in which 55 people were affected.
Although this particular violation of labor laws deals with one company in one state, it may serve to bring awareness to the ongoing issue that exists in the restaurant industry.
