Comments about ‘Company fined over child-labor violations’

Shameful

I worked at WW for my first real job when I was 15. I was very grateful because nobody else would hire me. Who is the government to tell me how many hours I can work on a school day or any other day? That decision should be left to me and my parents.

This is nonsense, As a 15 year old I worked for wats and they would only let me work the hours that I could work. They kept the rules. I wish I could have worked more hours, however they wouldn't let me. Even when they asked people to work additional hours, they wouldn't allow me to work extra because it would have been against the law. I am also certain that they don't hire anyone under 15 because when we turned 15 we were excited that we could work for wats.

Heaven forbid that teenagers actually have a job and learn how to work. No, it's more important (and wisdom by federal bureaucrats and nannyism) that teens be free to wander the neighborhood streets, be involved in gangs, or play endless video games. Department of Labor once sued a company in Bountiful for the same thing saying it was "too dangerous" for teens to operate power tools such as palm sanders and cordless drills. (But OK for teens to be around deep-fat fryers at 400 degrees hot oil at McDonalds! This sounds like total overreaching by the Feds, once again, to me. but then again, with Obama at the wheel and needing all of the income he can possibly grab a hold of to "redistribute" to others, I guess such large, record-breaking fines are a new way to tax people.

Were it not for these child labor laws children get exploited and abused by employers. Sure, some children are eager to work and will do anything to get a job, but it has to be reasonable. Historical data from the early 1900's show how easy it is to exploit children.

It shouldn't be left up to the families and children either, the families all need money and many are willing to sacrifice their children for this extra income.

These kinds of employers are not your friends, they go after children for a reason, cheap labor, paying them less than minimum wage. Children get stressed on these jobs and it does interfere with family and school and there performance. And telemarketers are the meanest bunch of employers, that's why adults won't work for them, except as a last resort.

You can also bet that the DWFS did not come about with these findings on their own. They don't investigate businesses with individual complaints, and class action complaints are not allowed by the Utah's workforce laws. A complaint must have been filed at the federal level for the DWFS to investigate them.

In the sprit of “equal justice for all” Watsplans should not only be fined, but should not be funded any further by taxpayer dollars.

Based in Orem Utah it is likely that Watsplans is a conservative organization. Conservatives should be required to obey our laws also.

What moral authority gives anonymous the right to judge the actions of this company as "shameful" when the facts are not even known. In this country one is innocent until proven guilty. The comments from two who worked there would indicate that the company made every effort to abide by the law. What is shameful about providing the opportunity to earn a few dollars to some willing young people? They should be praised for what they have done if they obeyed the law and provided a good working environment.

At that age, it's more important that children be getting an education, not providing a cheap labor source. That's the whole point of the law. But I guess if the local standard is to get married at 18 and not further your education, this encourages the attitude that the kids should put in as many hours as the company wants.

Since Utah is at the very bottom of per-student school funding, it doesn't surprise me that the rank and file DN readers would also be pro child labor -- not much value placed on the rising generation. Maybe if you had gotten a good education you would know the history of why these laws were needed. Incidentally, child labor rules passed long before a black man became president.

Most people commenting here are seriously brain dead. The reason why these laws are in place is so we don't end up like China or Thailand. If they didn't have laws like this, it would only be a matter of time before young kids are exploited to work long days and slave away for greedy company owners. Feel blessed that your country cares enough to set some standards.

That will learn them. Hiring Americans. Haven't they heard of India?

I love what Dave said!

know your history. You young people who wrote on this article should read a little history about what this country was like before child labor laws. You are wrong and you are ignorant on this subject because you are young and naive.

If this company is guilty, fine them and pull any funding they get from the government. Companieslike this are making tons of money off these children. Thirteen year old. How can you justify that.

Although I completely understand why we have child labor laws, the fine is extreme in my opinion. Also, to Midwest Member, Utah has a very highly educated population, and learning to work at a young age is extremely important. I have worked since I was a young child on the farm, then worked at other places as soon as it was legal. By doing so, I learned the importance of hard work, but also to balance in my life. I played sports throughout my life, worked and went to college full-time, and got an MBA. I see these students who don't work until they are done with college and many of them have a difficult time in the real world- the workplace. Funding in Utah is terrible, but kids have a choice to succeed or not.

Wow. I worked at WW and we only did a little bit of the work most of it was done in the Philippines. I wonder if they have child labor laws in the Philippines and if they follow them? Those laws are to protect the kids. If we don't watch out for the kids who will.

Were it not for these child labor laws children get exploited and abused by employers. Sure, some children are eager to work and will do anything to get a job, but it has to be reasonable. Historical data from the early 1900's show how easy it is to exploit children.

Hiring illegals: O.K. Hiring local American teenagers: NOT O.K.!!!

This company knew the rules.
If you break the law you have to pay.

I am sure that all of you pro child-labor posters will kindly be helping out with this fine.

This is only the first of many problems at Western Watts. How about the yearly fines that they recieve from the FEC for illeagal push polling....and least we forget about all of the many many ehtics complaints against them for the content of their polls. This place is a bad...close them down!

Gee I wonder who will hire them now....they have 13 year olds making the phone calls. Great service to their clients.

I've worked my entire life. I bailed hay, fed cows, worked in restaurants and warehouses. I started at 12 years and it has only helped me in my life. I have a masters degree in electrical engineering and after 25 years of work am now studying for an MBA at BYU. I largely attribute my success to the work ethic I learned as a young boy. Teens need opportunities to work, though I do agree that we have to ensure they are not exploited.