The U.S. Department of Labor said in a statement that a McDonald's franchise owner accused of violating child labor laws at 11 locations around New Jersey has agreed to pay a fine.
According to officials, S&P Enterprises Inc., based in New York, paid a penalty of $8,829 after allowing minors to work too many hours at their eateries in Bergen, Passaic, Morris and Union counties.
Authorities said the 14 and 15 year olds allegedly worked after 7 p.m. during the school year, more than three hours on a school day, more than eight hours on a non-school day, or more than 18 hours during a school week, which are all prohibited under the child labor law's limits.
According to New Jersey law, children who are 14 and 15 can work up to 8 hours a day and 40 hours per week only during summer vacation.
Officials said the violations took place at the following locations:
• Columbia Turnpike in Florham Park
• Route 23 south in Butler
• North Avenue in Elizabeth
• Route 17 south in Mahwah
• Berkshire Valley Road in Jefferson
• Route 46 west in Montville
• Route 1 in Rahway
• St. George Avenue in Roselle
• Route 10 east in Roxbury
• Hamburg Turnpike in Wayne
• Franklin Avenue in Wyckoff