Chipotle Agrees to Pay Fine and Submit New Work Plan for Alleged Child Labor Violations
Chipotle has agreed to pay a fine of $332,400 and submit a new work plan to The Office of the Attorney General for Washington, D.C. after more than 800 alleged child labor violations were uncovered by the agency.
Child Labor Violations and Legal Caps
The laws in Washington, D.C. prohibit minors from working past 10 p.m., working more than eight hours in one day, working more than six straight days in a workweek, or working more than 48 hours in a workweek. The Office of the Attorney General found hundreds of cases since April 1, 2020, where Chipotle allegedly did not comply with these legal caps. Chipotle operates 20 restaurants in Washington, D.C.
Emphasis on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The Office of the Attorney General for Washington, D.C. stated, “We applaud young people who take the initiative to work in addition to going to school. But the law limits the hours they can work to ensure they are healthy, well-rested, and able to fulfill their responsibilities as students and to their families. Our investigation examined whether Chipotle violated laws intended to protect our children, and today’s outcome continues the Office of the Attorney General’s proven track record of enforcing DC’s labor protections to the fullest extent of the law. We will put this settlement to good use by helping connect District youth with apprenticeships and workforce training opportunities, building on our efforts to ensure that all young people in the District have the chance to thrive and succeed.”
Chipotle’s Response
Although Chipotle settled, the company denied Washington, D.C.’s accusations and did not admit to any liability or wrongdoing. The brand highlighted that it provides all workers with “industry-leading” benefits, including debt-free degrees, tuition reimbursement, access to mental health care, financial planning tools, and quarterly bonuses. It also offers a career progression that can lead certain employees to earn up to $100,000 in total compensation.
Laurie Schalow, Chipotle’s chief corporate affairs officer, stated, “We are committed to ensuring that our restaurants are in full compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and we believe that in hiring workers beginning at age 16, we can provide younger employees with valuable experiences and an opportunity for advancement. We have reached a settlement with the Washington, D.C. Office of the Attorney General for the events dating back to 2020 and have implemented an enhanced labor scheduling program in our restaurants, creating a more efficient, consistent, and compliant environment.”
Compliance Plan
Chipotle cooperated with the investigation and worked with the office to develop a plan to comply with Washington D.C.’s child labor laws. The brand is required to deploy new formal policies and procedures to ensure future compliance, including:
- Providing all apprentices and general managers with sufficient and documented training within six months of their hire or promotion
- Providing all employed minors with a copy of the Washington, D.C.-specific child labor policy and ensuring they understand both the laws and Chipotle’s policy
Previous Violations and Fines
Washington, D.C. initiated its investigation in May 2022 after reviewing reports of Chipotle’s alleged violations of child labor laws in other states. In January 2020, Chipotle was fined $1.37 million in Massachusetts for more than 13,000 child labor violations dating back to 2016. In September 2022, the company was ordered to pay $7.75 million for approximately 30,600 violations that occurred between 2017 and 2020.
This news follows the recent fine imposed on Sonic franchisees in South Carolina, who were fined $61,500 for child labor violations. It was discovered that 91 children aged 14 and 15 had allegedly worked illegally at 13 locations in South Carolina. In May, three McDonald’s franchisees were fined over $212,000 for child labor violations, including one restaurant that employed two 10-year-olds who were found working as late as 2 a.m.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
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SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- Target 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor.
- Indicator 8.7.1: Proportion and number of children aged 5-17 years engaged in child labor, by sex and age group (relevant for measuring progress in eradicating child labor).
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SDG 4: Quality Education
- Target 4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs, and entrepreneurship.
- Indicator 4.4.1: Proportion of youth and adults with information and communications technology (ICT) skills, by type of skill (relevant for measuring progress in skills development).
Analysis
The issues highlighted in the article are connected to SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth and SDG 4: Quality Education.
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
The article discusses child labor violations committed by Chipotle, which is a violation of Target 8.7 under SDG 8. Target 8.7 aims to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor. The article mentions that Chipotle allegedly violated child labor laws by allowing minors to work past legal limits, such as working more than eight hours in one day or more than 48 hours in a workweek. These violations are relevant to Target 8.7, which seeks to eliminate such practices.
The article also indirectly relates to Indicator 8.7.1, which measures the proportion and number of children aged 5-17 years engaged in child labor. While the article doesn’t provide specific data on the number of children involved, it highlights the child labor violations committed by Chipotle, indicating the presence of child labor in their operations.
SDG 4: Quality Education
The article mentions that Chipotle provides benefits to its workers, including access to debt-free degrees, tuition reimbursement, and career progression opportunities. These initiatives align with Target 4.4 under SDG 4, which aims to increase the number of youth and adults with relevant skills for employment and entrepreneurship. By offering educational benefits and opportunities for advancement, Chipotle contributes to improving the skills and employability of its workers.
Although not explicitly mentioned in the article, Indicator 4.4.1 can be relevant to measure progress in skills development. This indicator assesses the proportion of youth and adults with information and communications technology (ICT) skills. While the article doesn’t specifically mention ICT skills, it highlights Chipotle’s efforts to provide valuable experiences and opportunities for advancement to younger employees. These experiences and opportunities likely involve the development of various skills, including ICT skills.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | Target 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor. | Indicator 8.7.1: Proportion and number of children aged 5-17 years engaged in child labor, by sex and age group. |
| SDG 4: Quality Education | Target 4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs, and entrepreneurship. | Indicator 4.4.1: Proportion of youth and adults with information and communications technology (ICT) skills, by type of skill. |
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Source: qsrmagazine.com
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