More over-zealous government poking-in-business news.
Children’s consignment business under scrutiny for labor practice
Why? Because, the US Dept of Labor claims, consignors or volunteers are in fact employees under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Consignors would need to be paid minimum wage if the findings stand.
Can you say “absurd”? Can you say “overstepping the bounds of common sense”? Can you say “Haven’t you got anything better to do, and if you don’t, fire yourself”?
Read the USA Today column Rhea Lana wrote which sparked this article.
Do you think this a convoluted argument that does nothing to make our country a better place to live in? Do you realize that we are paying these people to make such ridiculous statements?
Auntie Kate The Resale Expert 
I have mixed feelings here. I’ve owned my children’s resale shop for 8 years and I have 6 employees. I’ve been told because I’m not a non-profit that I can’t take on volunteers. So, I didn’t ~even though I wanted to. I believe it has something to do with workmens comp. Anyway, now the “big-craze” are consignment event sales. They have taken a huge bite out of my profits and when I read that they can have volunteers, but I can’t upsets me ~Especially because I’m open all year, and they’re only open a few weekends a year. If this reduces my competition and makes for a “level playing field”, then I’m all for it.
I discovered with the CPSIA law that legislators can pretty much do what they want and don’t care who they step on to get there.
No they are not! It’s their decision to work as a volunteer. What I have been seeing are more and more are people coming into our shop to volunteer because they have been court ordered to do community service in order to get their assistance.
Oh, wow, Kim, that’s a whole ‘nother bag of worms, court-ordered community service for welfare benefits, for punishment for DUI etc, even the community service that high-schoolers in my state must complete to graduate! … and one I am SURE more government employees would LOVE to sink their teeth into! Ouch!