Bojangles franchisee with locations in Aiken fined $11,000 for child labor law violations

Matthew Christian, Aiken Standard, S.C.
·2 min read

Jul. 1—A Bojangles franchisee with six locations in Aiken County has started a safety program for working minors after the Department of Labor determined that a franchise location operated by the company in Spartanburg had permitted 16 minors to work outside of permitted hours while school was in session.

BOJ of WNC LLC was fined $11,744 for the violations and agreed to retrain its managers regarding the working times for minors, add additional training about working times for minors, display child labor posters at all locations, identify when 14- and 15-year-olds clock in and out to ensure compliance with child labor laws, maintain documentation proving birthdates of employed minors and to distribute pamphlets outlining child labor laws to parents of minors working at its stores.

The Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 allows 14- and 15-year-olds to work between 7 a.m.-7 p.m. (except during summer), for up to three hours per day on school days, for up to 8 hours on non-school days, up to 18 hours during a school week and up to 23 hours in a non-school week. The same act allows 16- and 17-year-olds to work unlimited hours but not in particularly hazardous jobs.

"Once this Bojangles franchise operator learned of violations in Spartanburg, they took action to ensure the young workers they employ in six states gain valuable workplace experience without compromising education or safety," Wage and Hour Division Regional Administrator Juan Coria said in a news release. "This is an example of how enforcement and compliance assistance can work hand-in-hand, and it serves as a roadmap for other employers to follow to avoid costly violations."

He added employers who fail to ensure workers are safe and paid their full wages and benefits will find it increasingly difficult to recruit and retain the people they need to be successful.

"Employers who abide by the law will have a competitive advantage over those who do not," he said.

BOJ of WNC LLC owns and operates 93 Bojangles restaurants in six states including locations at 1362 Whiskey Road, 123 Simple Savings Drive and 2644 Columbia Highway in Aiken; 546 Bettis Academy Road in Graniteville; and 1010 Edgefield Highway and 100 Hugh St. in North Augusta.

Bojangles was founded in 1977 in Charlotte. It has around 760 locations in 14 states.