Woodland Taco Bell owner fined for worker violations

WOODLAND — A company that owns 60 Taco Bell restaurants across Washington has been fined nearly $120,000 by the state Department of Labor & Industries for repeated violations of teen worker laws.

The violations occurred over several years at a half-dozen restaurants in Western Washington, including one in Woodland at 1478 Dike Access Road, owned by California-based Taco Bell of America LLC, L&I said in a news release Friday. In total, there were six investigations over three years spurred by complaints from employees and parents.

In 2015 and 2016, L&I investigated several locations, including the Woodland restaurant. Afterwards, the agency provided training to restaurant managers and human resources staff at Taco Bell of America LLC.

The most recent violations at restaurants in Marysville and Auburn include youth working more than three or four hours without taking a rest break and the restaurant failing to produce parent school authorization forms or proof of workers’ ages.

Labor & Industries recently sent a letter to Taco Bell of America LLC “requesting representatives meet with the agency to discuss required changes in the company’s youth employment practices,” the news release said.

“Teens are an important part of the workforce. We enforce these laws to prevent injuries and keep them safe on the job,” said David Johnson, L&I Employment Standards Program manager. “Teens often don’t know their workplace rights, so it’s up to managers to follow the laws and emphasize safety on the job.”