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Complaint Against Worcester Wendy’s Starts State-Wide Child Labor Investigation

By Patrick Sargent | February 18, 2020
Last Updated: February 2, 2021

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WORCESTER – A complaint filed by a worker at Wendy’s location in Worcester started a state-wide investigation by the Attorney General’s office into child labor violations.

According to Attorney General Maura Healey’s office, Wendy’s International LLC has agreed to pay $400,000 in fines to the state to resolve allegations that the company violated child labor laws at its 46 corporate-owned locations in Massachusetts. 

The AG’s Office estimated more than 2,100 violations at Wendy’s restaurants in Massachusetts.

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The investigation began after the AG’s office received a complaint from a minor employed at Wendy’s in Worcester. The complaint stated that minor employees were working too late into the evening and too many hours per day. 

“Employers have a duty to follow our child labor laws and protect their young employees,” said Healey. “Wendy’s came into compliance as a result of our investigation and took meaningful steps to ensure a safe and productive work environment for its young workers.”

Wendy’s cooperated with the AG’s investigation and provided records for several locations that showed the restaurant was in violation of two child labor laws by allowing 16- and 17-year old employees to work later than the law allows and beyond the nine-hour daily limit.

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As part of the settlement, $200,000 of Wendy’s payment will be paid towards a fund administered by the AG’s Office to benefit young people through education programs about child labor and enforcement of the laws, as well as training and workforce development for young workers. 

Since the investigation, Wendy’s had made several changes to its business practices including have all minor employees wear a red visor to indicate they’re under 18 and modifying its scheduling system to flag minor scheduling issues for managers.

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