News Summary
The owner of two Culver’s restaurants in North Georgia has been fined over $60,000 for violating child labor laws. After a federal complaint, it was revealed that minors were employed during prohibited hours, with incidents of hazardous work reported. The owner must now comply with Department of Labor guidelines and ensure training on child labor regulations for future young hires.
Forsyth County, GA — The owner of two Culver’s restaurants in North Georgia has been fined over $60,000 for violating child labor laws. Ali Adabi was penalized after a federal complaint was filed by the U.S. Department of Labor, which alleged that minors were employed during legally prohibited hours at the restaurants located in Forsyth County and Dawsonville.
The civil action, filed in federal court on September 2, revealed that the Culver’s in Forsyth County at Peachtree Parkway and the location in Dawsonville at Center Lane had employed 14- and 15-year-old workers during hours that are not permissible according to federal regulations. Specifically, the Forsyth County restaurant reportedly allowed 73 minors under the age of 16 to work during these restricted hours over a two-year span.
Incidents at these locations included three minors using a manual fryer, which is considered hazardous work, at the Forsyth site. Furthermore, three workers under the age of 16 at the Dawsonville location also worked beyond the legally sanctioned hours.
Federal labor laws dictate that teens aged 14 and 15 can only work between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on school days and up to three hours on those days. Additionally, during the summer, this time extends until 9 p.m. Adabi’s restaurants were inspected by the Department of Labor in June 2023, which uncovered these violations.
During the investigation, Adabi stated that he had not received any complaints from parents regarding the working conditions of the minors employed at his restaurants. He noted that the investigation examined records dating back to June 2021, and he claimed that the 73 violations mentioned involved only a small number of employees—around four or five individuals. Adabi emphasized that in some cases, workers had asked to stay on the clock for a few minutes past the curfew while waiting for their parents to pick them up, which he indicated constituted 20 instances across the documented cases.
The consent decree, filed in court on September 3, mandates Adabi to pay a fine totaling $60,116. Along with this financial penalty, he is also required to comply with specific guidelines set by the Department of Labor going forward.
If Adabi were to hire any more 14- and 15-year-olds in the future, they must undergo training on child labor regulations. Furthermore, the restaurants will be obliged to maintain updated emergency contact information and schooling details for employees under the age of 19. Additionally, they must clearly label any equipment classified as hazardous.
Adabi has reiterated that he does not pressure anyone to work during restricted hours and has mentioned that parents have recognized the efforts made by his restaurants in supporting their young employees.
This case highlights ongoing concerns regarding child labor laws and their enforcement in the employment sector. The U.S. Department of Labor continues to monitor compliance with these important regulations to protect young workers from potentially hazardous situations.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- WSBTV
- Forsyth News
- Dawson News
- Wikipedia: Child Labor
- WFMY News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Child Labor
Author: STAFF HERE AUGUSTA WRITER
AUGUSTA STAFF WRITER The AUGUSTA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAugusta.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Augusta, Richmond County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Arts in the Heart Festival, Westobou Festival, and Masters Week. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce and Greater Augusta Arts Council, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and healthcare that power the local economy such as Textron Specialized Vehicles, Cardinal Health, and Nutrien. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAtlanta.com and HERESavannah.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Georgia's dynamic landscape.
