The Fairbank Group LLC has been fined by The U.S. Department of Labor following an investigation that found the company that owns three New England ski resorts violated child labor laws.
The investigation found that the Fairbank Group LLC employed a total of 44 minors, ages 14 and 15, outside of hours restrictions for their age group. This was at Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort in Hancock, Massachusetts; Cranmore Mountain Resort in North Conway, New Hampshire; and Bromley Mountain Ski Resort in Peru, Vermont.
“Investigators say their owner, The Fairbank Group LLC, employed 44 minors, ages 14 or 15, outside of the hour restrictions for that age group. Some youths worked more than eight hours on non-school days, past 7 p.m. during the school year, or more than three hours on school days. Others worked more than 18 hours during a school week.
A Labor Department spokesman said the investigation covered between February 2016 and March 2018. The teens worked as ticket sellers and checkers; children’s center playroom attendants; park attendants; housekeepers; and rental staff fitting helmets and boots.” – Salem News
Some youths worked more than eight hours on non-school days, past 7 p.m. during the school year, or more than three hours on school days. Others worked more than 18 hours during a school week. The company will need to pay $21,582 in fines.
According to YouthRules.gov, a site run by the US Department of Labor, here are some of the restrictions for a 14 or 15 year old worker. Children this age CANNOT work.
- more than 3 hours on a school day, including Friday;
- more than 18 hours per week when school is in session;
- more than 8 hours per day when school is not in session;
- more than 40 hours per week when school is not in session; and
- before 7 a.m. or after 7 p.m. on any day, except from June 1st through Labor Day, when nighttime work hours are extended to 9 p.m.
Find out more here: Ski areas pay penalties for breaking child labor laws