AUSTIN, Texas — An Austin landscape supply company is under a federal investigation for several infractions, including allowing a 17-year-old to do prohibited work that led to a serious injury.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division, New Age Rocks Inc. – also known as Round Rock Landscape Supplies – let a teenager use a forklift and operate a skid steer loader. The Department of Labor said this is in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act's (FLSA) protections for young workers. The employer paid $34,355 in penalties over the violations.
The division also found the employer paid straight time for all hours and denied overtime to employees who worked more than 40 hours a week. That overtime accounted for $1,950.
According to the report, "the employer failed to keep accurate time records and dates of birth for minor-aged employees," which are all violations of the FLSA.
“New Age Rocks Inc. disregarded the law and a 17-year-old employee suffered injuries needlessly while doing work the law forbids them from doing,” explained Wage and Hour Division District Director Nicole Sellers in Austin. “The employer also shortchanged two employees by ignoring their legal obligation to pay overtime for hours over 40 in a workweek.”
Since the investigation, New Age Rocks Inc. made changes to comply with the law and paid the penalties, according to the department.
“As this case shows, the U.S. Department of Labor will take action to hold employers who jeopardize the safety of young workers and deprive workers of their full wages accountable,” Sellers added.
The department has reported more than 3,800 minors employed violations in 2022, which is 37% more than the previous year. In those reports, "minors employed in violation of hazardous orders" grew 26%.
If you need information or help, the Wage and Hour Division has a confidential compliance assistance for employees and employers. You can call the free helpline at 866-487-9243.