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  • 2021-03-16 (xsd:date)
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  • Did Panda Express Subject Employees to 'Cult-Like' Self-Improvement Seminar? (en)
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  • A lawsuit filed in February 2021 against the fast-food chain Panda Express and a coaching academy carries disturbing allegations about the company’s treatment of some of its California employees. A woman alleged that in 2019 during a self-improvement seminar she was encouraged to attend, she was forced to strip down to her underwear, open up about her vulnerabilities, and more, alongside other employees of the chain. The seminar, which was conducted by Alive Seminars and Coaching Academy, a separate entity from Panda Express, was allegedly bizarre, psychologically abusive, and more and more resembled a cult initiation ritual as time went on, according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit detailed complaints including sexual battery, a hostile work environment, failure to prevent harassment, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and more. A headline on Oddee, a website for weird news stories, incorrectly stated, Panda Express Charged for Bizarre Sexual Cult-Like Teambuilding Seminar. Since this is a civil case filed by an individual and not a criminal charge filed by a prosecuting government body, Panda Express has not been charged, but rather accused of being responsible in the above complaints. Moreover, none of these accusations have yet been proven or adjudicated in a court of law. We learned that on Feb. 12, 2021, the lawsuit had been remanded to the Los Angeles Superior Court. The plaintiff, who worked at Panda Express as a cashier (among other roles) until July 2019, claimed that she was told by the company that in order to maximize her opportunities for promotion, she should attend Alive Seminars' self-improvement sessions. The lawsuit claimed that Panda Express has a close association with Alive Seminars, even paying for employees to attend their training, though the plaintiff was forced to spend several hundred dollars out of pocket for the seminar. The disturbing allegations included: One allegation was that the plaintiff was made to strip down to her underwear and hug another attendee while in a state of undress, actions that constituted sexual battery, according to the lawsuit: Panda Express told The Washington Post that it is investigating the matter and denied having ownership ties to Alive Seminars. In a statement, the company said: Alive Seminars told The Orange County Register that its trainings were presented with respect and dignity. Given that a lawsuit has been filed against Panda Express and Alive Seminars accusing both of being responsible for a number of complaints including sexual battery, but none of these accusations have yet been adjudicated in court, we rate this claim Unproven. (en)
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