FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The owner of two Culver’s locations in North Georgia must pay a fine of more than $60,000 after a federal complaint says the restaurants violated child labor laws.
In the civil action filed in federal court Sept. 2, the U.S. Department of Labor says the Culver’s on Peachtree Parkway in Forsyth County and the Culver’s on Center Lane in Dawsonville had 14-year-olds and 15-year-olds working later than what’s permitted by law.
Over a two-year period, the complaint says the Forsyth County location had “73 minors under the age of 16 that worked during prohibited hours,” and three were allowed to operate the manual fryer, considered “a hazardous duty.”
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In Dawsonville, three employees under the age of 16 worked past the allowable time, according to the complaint.
Federal labor laws allow teens ages 14 and 15 to work between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., and only three hours on a school day. They can work until 9 p.m. between June 1 and Labor Day.
Ali Adabi, who owns both restaurants, told Channel 2’s Bryan Mims that Department of Labor inspectors made a surprise visit in June 2023.
“There was no complaint, no parents came to us and raised an issue,” he said.
The investigation reviewed the restaurant’s records, going back to June 2021. He said there were not 73 employees working during prohibited hours, but 73 cases involving four or five employees. He pointed out one worker in particular.
“That person had 20 times of staying over – one person – after 7 o’clock,” he said.
Adabi said it was only a few minutes as the employees waited for their rides home.
“And they ask me, Mr. Ali, would you mind if I stayed on the clock until my parents come pick me up? And out of the goodness of my heart, I have said yes honey, you can stay,” he said. “This is all a matter of five minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes at the max after 7 o’clock. That’s all it was.”
Adabi said he will no longer hire anyone under the age of 16. Under a consent decree filed in court Sept. 3, he will pay a fine of $60,116 and adhere to conditions agreed upon with the Department Labor.
If he does hire 14-and-15-year-olds, those employees must be trained on child labor laws. The restaurants must maintain emergency contact details and school information for employees under the age of 19. They must also label which equipment is hazardous.
“It’s not like we were trying to force people to work,” Adabi said. “In fact, parents love us. They know we take good care of the kids in here.”
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