U.S. Department of Labor Finds Rock Hill, South Carolina, Subway Restaurant Franchisee Violated Federal Child Labor Laws

ROCK HILL, SC – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Houston Enterprises Inc. – operator of 13 Subway franchises – with headquarters in Rock Hill, South Carolina, has paid a $5,802 civil penalty for violating federal child labor requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

WHD determined the employer violated the child labor requirements by employing five minors under the age of 16 years to work past 7 p.m. between Labor Day and May 31, when the law limits their work to hours ending at 7 p.m. WHD also found the employer permitted four minor employees under the age of 16 to operate a high-speed oven, also a violation of the child labor requirements.

“Employers with minor employees must be aware of the limits on both occupations and hours for workers younger than 16 years old,” said Wage and Hour Division District Director Jamie Benefiel, in Columbia, South Carolina. “The child labor restrictions in the law are there to ensure that young workers enjoy a safe experience on the job, and that their employment does not interfere with their education. The U.S. Department of Labor encourages all employers, employees and parents to contact us if they have questions about work rules for minor employees.”

WHD found the child labor violations at multiple establishments in the enterprise.

The Department offers numerous resources to ensure employers have the tools they need to understand their responsibilities and to comply with federal law, such as online videos, confidential calls, or in-person visits to local WHD offices.

For more information about the FLSA and other laws enforced by the Wage and Hour Division, contact the toll-free helpline at 866-4US-WAGE (487-9243). Employers who discover overtime or minimum wage violations may self-report and resolve those violations without litigation through the PAID program. Information is also available at https://www.dol.gov/whd.

The mission of WHD is to promote and achieve compliance with labor standards to protect and enhance the welfare of the nation's workforce. WHD enforces federal minimum wage, overtime pay, recordkeeping, and child labor requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act. WHD also enforces the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act, the Employee Polygraph Protection Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, wage garnishment provisions of the Consumer Credit Protection Act, and a number of employment standards and worker protections as provided in several immigration related statutes. Additionally, WHD administers and enforces the prevailing wage requirements of the Davis Bacon Act and the Service Contract Act and other statutes applicable to federal contracts for construction and for the provision of goods and services.

The mission of the Department of Labor is to foster, promote, and develop the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers, and retirees of the United States; improve working conditions; advance opportunities for profitable employment; and assure work-related benefits and rights.