Pang Donglai Trading Group, a prominent supermarket chain in Henan province, has taken a groundbreaking step in safeguarding employee rights by introducing a comprehensive compensation policy for workplace dignity violations. The company recently disclosed detailed records of payments made to employees who experienced personal dignity infringements, highlighting its commitment to fostering a respectful and fair work environment.
On November 19, 2025, the retailer released its ‘Compensation Standards for Pangdonglai’s Infringement of Personal Dignity’ on its official website. The document outlines 33 cases recorded between January 1 and October 31, 2025, with total compensation amounting to 359,000 yuan ($50,495). The policy underscores the company’s belief that personal dignity is an inviolable right, with the mental and physical harm from such incidents often being ‘lifelong, extremely painful, and irreversible.’
One notable case involved an employee surnamed Cheng, who was assaulted while escorting an abusive customer out of a store in Xuchang on January 26. The customer, later identified as having mental health issues, slapped Cheng twice. The company compensated Cheng with 30,000 yuan, demonstrating its zero-tolerance stance on workplace violations.
Since July 2024, Pang Donglai’s founder, Yu Donglai, has actively promoted the policy through his personal Douyin account. The compensation framework includes payments of over 5,000 yuan for unjust accusations, over 10,000 yuan for insults, and over 30,000 yuan for physical assaults. Yu emphasized that customers involved in such incidents would also face legal repercussions.
The initiative aims to cultivate a corporate culture rooted in respect, fairness, and justice while advocating for stronger social and legal protections for personal dignity. Xu Wei, a lawyer at Henan Tianji Law Firm, praised the policy for exceeding legal obligations and setting a benchmark for employee welfare. ‘It exemplifies how employers can treat workers with dignity and respect,’ Xu noted.
Tang Yaqin, a frequent customer from Zhengzhou, commended the company’s people-first approach, stating that such practices foster employee loyalty and consumer trust. Founded in 1995, Pang Donglai has grown to 13 stores across Xuchang and Xinxiang, employing approximately 8,300 workers with an average monthly salary of 9,000 yuan. The chain is renowned for its employee-friendly policies, including generous paid leave allowances.
As of November 8, 2025, the company’s total sales for the year reached 200.35 billion yuan, surpassing the previous year’s figures by 30 billion yuan. This success underscores the positive impact of its progressive policies on both employee morale and business performance.