Welcome to today's episode, where our hosts discuss an overlooked and escalating issue. Child labor isn't just a chapter in history; it's a troubling present reality. Federal regulators report a 69% increase in companies employing underage workers since 2018. Recent reporting has uncovered children working graveyard shifts for household names, and suffering staggering injuries such as chemical burns and amputations. Although legal actions are taken, the fines imposed often barely dent the bottom lines of these large corporations. This is a complex issue that touches many spaces, but our hosts today focus is on HR: where do they stand in this crisis, given their pivotal role in preventing such violations? How does the staffing industry aid organizations in evading culpability? And what guidelines do HR departments follow when directed to overlook these issues?

Lakisha and Megan share their own experiences and perspectives on this crisis, and debate the strategies and ethics of meeting aggressive company goals.

On our next episode, we'll welcome an immigration expert on to the show to explore this topic even further.

If you or someone you know are aware of a minor that may be in a forced labor situation, help is out there. Consider contacting one of the organizations below:

Kids In Need of Defense

The Child Labor Coalition

Border Angels

US Department of Labor

Episode Resources:

The Daily - A New Child Labor Crisis in America 

American companies using illegal child labor 

As Migrant Children Were Put to Work, U.S. Ignored Warnings 

Tyson and Perdue Are Facing Child Labor Investigations

Alone & Exploited, Migrant Children Work Brutal Jobs Across the US 

Amid a child labor crisis, U.S. state governments are loosening regulations 

Child labor laws are under attack in states across the country 

Lawmakers target child labor laws to ease worker shortage 

USA: Investigation finds migrant children working in factories in violation of child labour laws; incl. co. responses 

Information on Minors and Employment 

Fact Sheet #43: Child Labor Provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) for Nonagricultural Occupations

History of Child Labor Laws in the United States

We are an independently run podcast. We're excited to take this journey with you, thank you for listening.

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Our theme music and sound was produced by Equalibrum:

@equalibrum on instagram

spotify.link/50W2rl2CfDb

Our logo and artwork was designed by Jillian Blanco:

https://www.jillianblanco.com/

Outside of this podcast, Megan does start-up and small business consultation, speaking engagements, interview coaching, and more. You can learn more on her website - www.benandanticonsulting.com