Hartman Enterprises Inc., doing business as Subway Sandwiches and Salads, at 6768 West Coal Mine Road in Littleton, was fined $18,625. The Labor Department's Wage and Hour Division found that eight minors were employed by the shop in violation of the child labor provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Working past 7p.m. brings max violation

The fine against Hartman Enterprises included the maximum assessment of $10,000 for employing the murdered 15-year-old past 7 p.m. Children that young cannot work before 7 a.m. or after 7 p.m. The minor, killed Feb.13, routinely was assigned to shut down the restaurant at closing time, 10 p.m.

The firm was also penalized for allowing other young employees to work too many hours in a day and too late at night. In addition, the firm also permitted 14- and 15-year-olds to bake, an activity that is prohibited for anyone under the age of 16.

Rules recapped

Under the Federal child labor laws, 14- and 15 year-olds may work outside school hours, but not before 7 a.m. and not later than 7 p.m. (9 p.m. from June 1 until Labor Day). They may not work more than three hours on a school day and not more than 18 hours in a school week. These youths may work up to eight hours on a non-school day and 40 hours in a non-school week. The Fair Labor Standards Act also prohibits workers under 18 years of age from employment in any occupation the secretary of labor determines to be particularly hazardous to their health and well being.