It’s important for all types of Minnesota employers to follow state and federal labor laws. These laws are in place to protect workers’ rights and keep them safe on the job. When an employer doesn’t follow these laws, the employee may not even be aware that they are being taken advantage of or being put in danger while working. A recent investigation at a meat plant revealed that minors were being employed illegally and now the plant will pay to settle the case.
The plant was not allowed to employ minors
According to the law, certain industries are not allowed to have minor employees due to the potential danger in the workplace. The two employees were fired after it was discovered that they were underage. The plant settled the case with the U.S. Labor Department and now must pay over $30,000.
The issue, in this case, is that before hiring the minors, the plant did not verify their ages to ensure they were legally allowed to work. Working at this type of manufacturing facility is considered dangerous and not appropriate for those under the age of 18. The plant has now changed its hiring policy to prevent the issue from reoccurring in the future.
Employees should be aware of their rights
Minnesota employees may not be aware of state labor laws, which can leave them vulnerable when on the job. It’s important for employees to understand that they have rights while working and should not be subjected to unfair or unsafe working conditions. When an employee feels they have been taken advantage of or targeted in some way while at work, they can consult an attorney with knowledge of the state’s laws to see what options they have in pursuing a civil case against the employer.