Washington state’s Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) has fined the maker of Fisher Scones after discovering more than 1,500 instances of teens working beyond the hours allowed under state law.
Conifer Specialties Inc. of Woodinville, the company behind the popular pastry associated with the Washington State Fair, was fined $45,100 for violating work hours by minors. The report of a teen injured using a commercial-grade mixer started the investigation, which covered August through November of 2019, which includes the runs of many annual county and state fairs. In all, 78 youths ages 14-15 and 139 ages 16-17 were involved.
L&I found approximately 1,560 instances of teens working beyond hours allowed under law — 426 of which involved teens working during school hours. The number of violations represents the most L&I has ever uncovered in an investigation of work-hour violations involving minors, according to an agency news release.
“Child labor laws exist to strike a balance between providing a meaningful work experience for young people and keeping them safe on the job,” Josie Bryan, Youth Employment Specialist for L&I, said in a statement. “The goal is to ensure a youth’s health, well-being, and educational opportunities.”
Additionally, the L&I investigation found that there were more than 100 instances of teen workers missing a meal break. Bryan said those meal breaks are a way to help prevent on-the-job injuries.
Here are the rules established by L&I when it comes to youth work hours:
- Ages 14-15 can work no more than 16 hours a week, or no more than three hours a day, six days a week, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
- Ages 16-17 can work no more than 20 hours a week, or no more than four hours a day, six days a week, between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m.
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