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Build-A-Bear Cited For Violating Child Labor Laws

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May 18, 2009 3:19 pm US/Central

Build-A-Bear Cited For Violating Child Labor Laws

AURORA, Ill. (Aurora Beacon News) ― Build-a-Bear Workshop stores at Westfield Fox Valley mall in Aurora and in four other states have been cited with violating child labor laws.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, an investigation of those five stores – in Aurora and in Kansas, Wisconsin, Michigan and Iowa – discovered that 16- and 17-year-old employees regularly loaded and operated trash compactors, a violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Those violations occurred during a 28-month period between Jan. 2006 and April 2008, according to the company.

Additionally, minor employees were found operating and riding a freight elevator, the Labor Department said Monday.

In a statement Build-A-Bear Workshop spokesperson Jill Saunders said, "Following receipt of the results of the audit, in September 2008 Build-A-Bear Workshop implemented a policy of only hiring individuals who are 18 years of age or older."

Build-a-Bear Workshop Inc., headquartered in St. Louis, cooperated fully with the investigation, and has paid a fine of $25,600, Department of Labor officials said.

(CBS 2, the Naperville Sun and the Aurora Beacon-News are news partners covering stories in the western suburbs. Send story tips to tips@cbs2chicago.com. (© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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