Did Panda Express Fail to Reimburse Employees for Required Expenses?
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According to a recent lawsuit, Panda Express allegedly violated labor law by failing to reimburse employees for required expenses, specifically the cost of using their personal cell phones to complete their required job duties.
The Case: Jeffrey Lee v. Panda Express LLC, Panda Express Inc.
The Court: San Francisco County Superior Court of the State of California
The Case No.: CGC-22-598730
The Plaintiff: Jeffrey Lee v. Panda Express LLC, Panda Express Inc.
Jeffrey Lee, the plaintiff in the case, filed a class action complaint alleging that Panda Express violated California Labor Code. According to the complaint, Panda Express allegedly:
Failed to pay minimum wages
Failed to pay overtime wages
Failed to provide legally required meal and rest periods
Failed to provide accurate itemized wage statements
Failed to reimburse employees for required expenses
Failed to provide wages when due
Based on the allegations included in the complaint, the company allegedly violated employment law several times as defined in California Labor Code Sections §§ 201, 202, 203, 226, 226.7, 510, 512, 1194, 1197, 1197.1, 2802, and the applicable Wage Order(s). Doing so gives rise to civil penalties.
The Defendant: Jeffrey Lee v. Panda Express LLC, Panda Express Inc.
The defendant in the case, Panda Express, also allegedly failed to reimburse employees for required business expenses. California Labor Code § 2802 states that "an employer shall indemnify his or her employee for all necessary expenditures or losses incurred by the employee in direct consequence of the discharge of his or her duties..." While employed by Panda Express, Jeffery Lee and other California Class Members were allegedly required to use their personal cell phones and home offices to complete required job duties. However, the company allegedly did not reimburse them for using their personal items.
The Case: Jeffrey Lee v. Panda Express LLC, Panda Express Inc.
The lawsuit, Jeffrey Lee vs. Panda Express, is currently pending in the San Francisco County Superior Court of the State of California.
If you have questions about California employment law or need help filing a California employment law complaint, please get in touch with Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik DeBlouw LLP. Experienced employment law attorneys are ready to assist you in various law firm offices located in San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento, Los Angeles, Riverside, and Chicago.
