Professional Personnel Service Inc., operating as Luttrell Staffing, has been ordered by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to stop employing children illegally. The DOL obtained a consent judgment in a Tennessee federal court that forbids the staffing agency from violating federal child labor laws in the future.
The investigation began after representatives from the DOL’s Wage and Hour Division uncovered oppressive child labor at a Tuff Torq Corp manufacturing facility. The plant, which produces outdoor power equipment for John Deere, Toro and Yamaha, had several children working dangerous jobs. Luttrell Staffing had employed the children, a violation of the child labor provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act.
For failing to comply with federal child labor regulations, Luttrell Staffing must make a number of changes, including:
- Providing a list of all employed children, including ages, hours worked, and job duties
- Submitting a report outlining steps taken to comply with FLSA child labor requirements
- Coordinating with a compliance specialist for three years to provide child labor compliance training to all management personnel twice a year
Additionally, Luttrell Staffing must pay $121,572 in civil money penalties.
What people are saying
In a recent quote, Regional Solicitor Tremelle Howard said, “The court’s action reflects the U.S. Department of Labor’s relentless pursuit of any employer that endangers children by employing them to work in dangerous jobs. Staffing agencies have a responsibility to make sure children are not being employed illegally and that their safety and well-being are never jeopardized in the pursuit of profit.”
Wage and Hour Regional Administrator Juan Coria added, “When employers fail to keep children in our communities safe from workplace dangers, the U.S. Department of Labor will act swiftly to hold violators accountable for their actions. This case affirms our commitment to hold all employers, including staffing agencies, accountable when they violate federal child labor laws.”
DOL in the news
For using child labor, meat processor and staffing agency forced to pay $390K to DOL
The child workers were using sharp knives, working in freezers and coolers, and being forced to work at unpermitted times.
Hyundai manufacturer and partners allegedly used and profited from child labor
The DOL is asking that the profits generated by the use of oppressive child labor be surrendered since it violates the “hot goods” provision of the Fair Labor Standards Act.
Caterpillar fined $800K over racial hiring discrimination
The company discriminated against 60 Black applicants who applied for fabrication specialist/welder positions at its Decatur, Illinois, facility.
Learn more about child labor issues in manufacturing
Does US Manufacturing Have a Child Labor Problem?
Incidents of child labor violations in the U.S. have risen since the pandemic.
Does US Manufacturing Have a Child Labor Problem?
Incidents of child labor violations in the U.S. have risen since the pandemic.
ASSP Speaks out Against Exploitative Child Labor
Group will advocate for prohibition of child labor in global standards such as the ANSI/ASSP/ISO 45001 and ANSI/ASSP Z10.