they probably aren't releasing your checks until they get you out of the "hazardous" area because OSHA or some other labor agency could bust the company with a huge fine for having you work in a age restricted area, so they are getting you where you can be and then releasing the checks so they can just say you were there the whole time....

doesn't sound like too great of a company if they dont even know the labor laws....and $50 is not that much to cry about, but you're 17 so I guess that's alot of money to you guys



and go get a job at McD's...they pay alot more than $6 and you get to see plenty of smiling faces everyday and they won't care if you are 17, I bet you could even work the fryer....and that's pretty dangerous!