Twin Falls grocer fined $250K in child labor violations

After investigators found child labor and wage violations at several locations, a Twin Falls-based grocery chain has been fined more than a quarter of million dollars in civil penalties.

The U.S. Department of Labor reached a settlement agreement with Swensen’s Magic Markets, LLC, after determining the chain with four locations throughout south-central Idaho had violated federal child labor laws.

The grocery business will pay $250,833 in civil penalties, $5,078 in back wages and damages, and ensure future compliance with federal child labor laws, the agency stated in a release.

“Early work experience should not come at the expense of a child’s well-being and educational opportunities,” said Katherine Walum, director of the Department of Labor‘s wage and hour division district director in Portland, Oregon. “Federal law protects young workers from the dangers involved in the operation and maintenance of commercial-grade equipment, and ensures they are not working late hours on school nights.”

Six minor-aged children were employed by Swensen’s and assigned to what the agency called “hazardous duties,” that included cleaning meat slicers, meat tenderizers and grinders, loading trash compactors, and operating a rotisserie. The agency also stated that the business required the young employees to work outside of the legally allowed hours. One employee was 13 years old, which is below the legal age of employment in non-agricultural jobs.

“Employers who are unclear about child labor laws should contact the U.S. Department of Labor to get their questions answered,” Walum added.

Along with the child labor violations, the agency stated that Swensen’s “failed to combine all work hours from various locations, resulting in overtime violations for three workers who did not receive additional half-time pay for hours worked over 40 in a workweek.”

Walum’s division stated it “recovered $2,539 in back wages and an equal amount in damages for those workers.”

The grocery chain employs about 80 people throughout its four locations in the cities of Twin Falls, Hagerman and Paul.

“Employers must abide by child labor laws and regulations,” Walum said. “Employers, parents and school personnel should visit our YouthRules.gov website to learn how to protect young workers.”

The agency also provides employers the publication Seven Child Labor Best Practices for Employers to help employers stay compliant with federal laws.