A Nampa ice cream manufacturer has been the focus of a $321K fine for endangering child workers.
The Department of Labour investigated Stella’s Ice Cream locations in Boise, Caldwell, Eagle, and Nampa. These ice cream sellers and manufacturers employed children to operate industrial machinery like mixers, drive delivery vehicles, and work outside lawful hours.
The company, based in Nampa, will face a $321,015 civil penalty, which has been assessed based on multiple employment criteria.
Nampa Ice Cream employer faces $321K child safety fine
The Wage and Hours Division’s investigation reportedly found that Stella’s Ice Cream in four Idaho retail locations “put the safety of dozens of children at risk by employing them to perform dangerous tasks and work later than the law allows.”
These included employing child workers outside of legal hours to as late as 10:30 pm, which breaches young employee standards and regulations.
These regulations are strict on employers taking on staff as young as “14- and 15-year-olds, to work past 7 p.m., except between June 1 and Labor Day, when the evening hour is extended to 9 p.m. Workers between 14 and 15 may not work more than 18 hours weekly when school is in session.”
“Learning new skills in the workforce is an important part of growing up, but we must protect children and ensure their first jobs are safe and do not interfere with their education or well-being,” said Wage and Hour Division District Director Katherine Walum in Portland, Oregon. “The Fair Labor Standards Act allows for work experiences but restricts the employment of young workers in certain jobs and provides for penalties when employers do not follow the law.”
The investigation also found that managers and supervisors were using the tips collected at the Stella’s Ice Cream locations. This is another breach of tipping regulations included in the Fair Labour Standards Act. The action resulted in the recovery of $79,463 in back wages and liquidated damages for 208 affected workers.
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