Conway car dealer pays more than $19K in penalties for child labor, overtime violations
A U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division investigation found that a Conway used car dealer was letting a teenager work during school hours.
Investigators found AutoWorld of Conway violated federal child labor occupations and hours standards. The employer violated the Fair Labor Standards Act by allowing a 14-year-old child to operate power-driven machinery while assisting with auto repairs. Autoworld also allowed the minor to work while school was in session, according to a press release from the agency.
By law, employers may allow 14- and 15-year-old workers to be employed only as follows:
- Outside of school hours.
- No more than 3 hours on a school day, including Fridays.
- No more than 8 hours on a non-school day.
- No more than 18 hours during a week when school is in session.
- No more than 40 hours during a week when school is not in session.
- Between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.; except between June 1 and Labor Day.
The agency issued a $3,426 civil penalty to the auto company for violating child labor requirements.
In addition, Autoworld violated the Fair Labor Standards Act’s overtime requirements by failing to pay employees the required time-and-one-half rate when they exceeded 40 hours in a workweek, the news release said. As a result, the division recovered $16,459 in back wages for 15 workers.
“Child labor laws ensure young people gain meaningful work experience while ensuring work does not jeopardize their health or hinder their education,” said Wage and Hour Division District Director Jamie Benefiel in Columbia, South Carolina. “As minors have returned to school, we urge employers and parents to reach out to us to ensure they keep children’s education and safety a priority.”
Liberty Autoworld Inc. is a used car dealership and automobile repair shop servicing the Conway area.
