Chipotle will pay the state of NJ $7.7 million in a case that alleges that Chipotle has engaged in “widespread and persistent violations” of child labor laws.
There are over 85 location across the state with four locations citing various violations dating back to 2016.
From 2017 to 2020, Chipotle has been audited based on their history of child labor law violations in NJ and other states.
Similarly, in 2020 – Chipotle paid out $1.4 million to the state of Massachusetts for similar transgressions involving child labor.
If these violations are any proof – Chipotle has a disturbing history of “working children to the bone” and taking advantage of minors’ inexperience and gullibility. The blatant disregard for treating minors fairly has been an ongoing issue with many locations still operating with no change in their behavior – even after being fined.
The reliance on minors in Chipotle’s business model and even many other fast food franchises has led to numerous investigations and put them in the scope of auditors in the past.
After their latest bout with the Child Labor Department, the $7.75 million settlement they reached with NJ, will include $7.7 million for penalties and $85,000 for attorney fees.
A settlement was eventually reached after an audit in 2020 wherein the state’s Labor Department found over 30,000 violations related to minors working across the state of NJ.
“This record settlement represents a significant public-private partnership aimed at protecting minors from workplace abuses,” New Jersey Labor Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo said. “After-school and summer employment can be of tremendous value to both the young worker and the employer, but these jobs cannot come at the expense of treating employees fairly.”
Many of the violations involve minors working too many hours and what should be the absolute minimum a company can offer employees – not getting timely breaks or meals.
Acting Attorney General Matt Platkin said, “New Jersey is committed to protecting all workers — especially young workers and others who are vulnerable and may not know their rights in the workplace. This historic settlement … should serve as a message to every employer that if you exploit your workers, you will be held accountable.”
Chipotle has agreed to a long-term plan to comply with Child Labor standards that will include, self-audits, a designated compliance official, and mandatory training (Via: usatoday.com)
With a company as massive as Chipotle and the kind of money that they’re playing with – these fines could be considered by corporate to be a small price to pay or just a cost of doing business “fee”.
Over the years, Chipotle’s primary concern over their younger employees well-being seems to have been a stance along the lines of ‘these burritos bowls aren’t gonna make themselves’.
Hopefully with this new settlement, the rights of minors don’t continue to get put on the back (tortilla) burner.
