News out of Boston last week noted Dave & Buster’s has agreed to pay more than $275,000 after being cited by Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell for child labor and meal break violations.
The popular restaurant and arcade which originated in Dallas has 139 locations across the U.S.
Campbell said the investigation started when a parent complained their child was working past midnight on weeknights. Teenagers who are 16 and 17 years old aren’t allowed to work past 10 p.m. on a school night.
The citations state Dave & Buster’s did not allow for meal breaks of at least a half hour for workers on shifts of six hours or more, it did not get work permits for minors before they started working, and they let 16 and 17-year-olds work later than legally allowed.
“When companies violate our laws to protect workers, including meal break and child labor violations they create unfair and unsafe working environments,” Campbell said in a statement. “Ensuring that employers are in compliance with these laws and that all employees are compensated and treated justly is an important priority for my office, and we will do everything we can to uphold and protect the rights of workers in Massachusetts.”
Dave & Buster’s will also compensate more than 800 employees as a result of the settlement.