In Ohio, a former employee of the Child Support Enforcement Agency named Shari Hutchinson has been fired based on her sexual orientation. The former employee brought a lawsuit on behalf of herself, as well as lesbian, gay and transgender communities. Hutchinson had worked at the agency since 2003 and asserts in her lawsuit that she kept getting rejected for a promotion until she realized it was due to her sexual orientation. Ultimately, Hutchinson reached a settlement with Cuyahoga County, but since there is no legal protection for sexual orientation Hutchinson’s case has the potential to set a precedent on this issue. Read Full Article

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 makes it illegal to discriminate against someone on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, or sex. It is unlawful to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of his/her race or color in regard to hiring, termination, promotion, compensation, job training, or any other term, condition, or privilege of employment. Please visit the EEOC’s website for more information.  According to the Supreme Court, the anti-retaliation provision in Title VII is “worded broadly”.

Leeds Morelli & Brown, PC handles many cases dealing with discrimination law throughout Long Island and the New York City area. For more information, contact Leeds, Morelli and Brown, PC at 1-800-585-4658 for a free consultation.

In San Francisco, CA, nine Chuck E. Cheese Restaurants have been fined for a total of $28,000 by the U.S. Department of Labor. The fines were charged to the restaurant chain for violating federal child labor laws. It was found that the chain put sixteen (16) young workers at risk by allowing them to load and operate on-site trash compactors, and run a dough mixing machine. As a result, the company has agreed to pay the fines and comply with federal regulations by removing keys from trash compactors, directing employees under 18 years old not to operate them, and putting warning signs on equipment. Read Full Article

The Department of Labor is the sole federal agency that monitors child labor and enforces child labor laws. The broadest federal law that restricts the employment and abuse of child workers is the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). This law restricts underage employees in nonagricultural occupations from engaging in hazardous activities such as scrap paper balers, paper box compactors and mixers for dough, batter and other foods. FLSA also restricts the hours that youth under 16 years of age can work and lists hazardous occupations too dangerous for young workers to perform. Enforcement of the FLSA’s child labor provisions is handled by the Department’s Wage and Hour Division. Covered nonexempt workers are entitled to a minimum wage of not less than $7.25 per hour effective July 24, 2009. Overtime pay at a rate not less than one and one-half times the regular rate of pay is required after 40 hours of work in a workweek. There is no limit on the number of hours employees 16 years or older may work in any workweek. Learn More

In addition, depending on the job, employers are given specific guidelines designed to protect the educational opportunities of minors and prohibit their employment in jobs and under conditions detrimental to their health and safety. Learn More

If you or someone you know has been affected by a violation of child labor laws or underage employment, the lawyers at Leeds Morelli & Brown, PC, have extensive experience in handling all matters of labor disputes regarding wage and hour law, child labor law, and workers compensation lawsuits. Victims of such offenses may be entitled to compensation. For more information or a consultation, contact Leeds Morelli & Brown, PC at 1-800-585-4658.