Orem firm pays $500,000 in child labor penalties (1,482 minors ranging from 13 to 15 years old)

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.sltrib.com/business/ci_14883912

The Salt Lake Tribune
Updated: 04/14/2010 05:01:29 PM MDT

An Orem-based marketing firm, accused last August by the U.S. Department of Labor of improperly employing 1,482 minors ranging from 13 to 15 years old, has paid $500,000 in penalties.

Western Wats Center operates in Utah and six other states. According to a department statement, the teens were primarily employed as interviewers at phone centers in the seven states.

The company was accused of violating Fair Labor Standards Act provisions mandating that those under 14 cannot be employed in nonagricultural occupations, and 14- and 15-year-olds cannot be employed during school hours.

The Labor Department statement pointed out that Western Wats has created a timecard and payroll system, and hired independent legal and accounting firms to review its employment practices.

[Love Bug]

1. Lessee,... Busting unions, check. Child labor violations, check.

Yep. We're right on track in our race to the 19th Century.