Federal investigators have found the operator of six Nevada Sonic Drive-In locations illegally allowed 14- and 15-year-old teenagers to work more hours and at times not permitted by federal child labor regulations and assigned them to operate manual deep fryers, a task considered a hazardous occupation.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division determined SDI of Neil LLC, which operates as Sonic Drive-In, committed more than 170 violations of the child labor provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act. Specifically, investigators learned the Reno-based employer allowed the young workers to operate fryers without automatic fry baskets that move food in and out of hot oil and grease, which are prohibited jobs for workers under age 16.

To resolve its child labor violations, SDI of Neil LLC and the company’s owners Taylor M. Cain, Ian N. Cain, and Quinn M. Cain paid $71,182 in civil money penalties. The division also recovered $274 in overtime back wages and liquidated damages for two young workers denied overtime pay for hours over 40 in a workweek by the employer. Investigators also determined the employer hired one employee who was then 13-years-old, which is under the legal age for employment in restaurants and other non-agricultural jobs.

“While learning new skills in the workforce is a valuable as teens grow up, federal law dictates how employers must protect children by making sure their first jobs are safe and that they do not interfere with their education or well-being,” explained Wage and Hour Division District Director Gene Ramos in Las Vegas. “The Fair Labor Standards Act allows for developmental experiences but restricts the employment of young workers in certain jobs and provides for penalties when employers do not follow the law. We encourage employers, young workers, their parents and other stakeholders to take advantage of our many online resources or to contact the division for additional guidance.”

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