BOISE, IDAHO (CBS2) – Stella’s Ice Cream, a Nampa-based business, is facing a hefty fine of $321,015 following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor. The inquiry uncovered that the company violated child labor laws at four of its Idaho locations, putting dozens of minors at risk by assigning them to hazardous tasks and allowing them to work beyond legally permitted hours.
The investigation revealed that Stella’s retail locations in Boise, Caldwell, Eagle, and Nampa employed minors to operate industrial mixers, drive delivery vans, and work during hours prohibited by law. Chad Hartley, Founder and CEO of Stella’s, defended the company, noting that the mixers in question were similar to standard household kitchen mixers like those made by KitchenAid. “It is difficult to reconcile that teenagers can legally operate motor vehicles on public roads yet are prohibited from using a household-style kitchen mixer in a small business setting,” he said in a statement.
The Department of Labor’s findings also showed that the company employed workers aged 14 and 15 past the legal limit of 7 p.m. Federal regulations prohibit minors in this age group from working beyond that hour, with a rare exception of extended hours until 9 p.m. during the summer months (June 1 through Labor Day). Additionally, minors aged 14 and 15 are restricted to working no more than 18 hours per week during the school year.
Hartley acknowledged the discrepancies between state and federal labor laws, which he described as creating “significant challenges for understanding and compliance.” He clarified that the fines relate to violations between 2019 and 2022, and assured that Stella’s has been fully compliant with federal labor regulations since addressing the issues once they were brought to their attention.
The investigation also uncovered a separate violation involving the sharing of tips with managers and supervisors. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) prohibits such practices, and as a result, Stella’s was required to repay $79,463 in back wages to its tipped employees. Hartley defended the practice, stating, “We have always sought to create a fair and equitable system for all employees who contribute to serving our customers, regardless of their assigned job titles.”
Despite the violations, Hartley expressed a commitment to compliance, emphasizing that the company is focused on safeguarding employee welfare while continuing to serve the community. “We remain steadfast in our commitment to complying with the law, ensuring the safety of our employees, and serving our community with integrity,” Hartley concluded. “While we fully accept responsibility for any mistakes made, we urge regulators to adopt a more balanced and reasonable approach that supports, rather than punishes, small businesses.”
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