In a concerning bit of news, two 10-year-old children were discovered working at a Louisville-based McDonald’s. According to the US Department of Labor, over 305 children are “employed” at locations throughout Kentucky, sometimes working until 2 a.m. 

An investigation in the Southeast uncovered the child labor violations, which also found that 60 locations across Kentucky, Indiana, Maryland, and Ohio, which are collectively owned by three franchisees, “employed 305 children to work more than the legally permitted hours and perform tasks prohibited by law for young workers.” Two 10 year-olds were found working at two Kentucky locations.

“Too often, employers fail to follow the child labor laws that protect young workers,” explained Wage and Hour Division District Director Karen Garnett-Civils in Louisville, Kentucky. “Under no circumstances should there ever be a 10-year-old child working in a fast-food kitchen around hot grills, ovens and deep fryers.”

Child labor laws exist for a reason. Kids should only have to worry about school, and being a child, not potentially hazardous working conditions and long hours. 

“We are seeing an increase in federal child labor violations, including allowing minors to operate equipment or handle types of work that endangers them or employs them for more hours or later in the day than federal law allows,” said Garnett-Civils. “An employer who hires young workers must know the rules. An employer, parent or young worker with questions can contact us for help understanding their obligations and rights under the law.”

The US Department of Labor is fining the three franchisees a total of $212,000 for the violations.