SA at Work Conference, Work Says its out of the scope of job responsibilities.
Hi,
I’m writing this post for advice for a coworker who was recently assaulted at a conference she was at for work.
I’ll keep the details vague but the basics are her keycard was stolen, she was drugged, and woke up the next morning with signs she’d been assaulted in her room.
Obviously this is traumatic, and she’s been having reoccurring nightmares ever since, and requires medication that makes her dizzy in order to sleep.
My company HR told her she does not qualify for workers comp because she had two beers at this conference while networking, and it falls outside of the scope of her job duties. They have made her use all her time off for the appointments with psychologists/counselors, and told her WFH was not appropriate— though a lot of her duties are able to be performed remotely. So she is working with and around heavy machinery while sleep deprived and on this medication.
I think that is completely ridiculous and unacceptable for our company to do, and it makes me really uncomfortable particularly because these conferences legitimately serve booze on the exposition floor and there is an expectation that you will drink and socialize with your peers.
The only reason she was in this environment was for the companies interest and the assault occurred in a hotel room paid for by the company.
Can anyone provide any advise on if this is legal and if the company has any obligation as per ADA standards to provide reasonable accommodations?
Should she look into pursuing a workers comp attorney?
Thanks.
Edit:
Just wanted to add there is a high likelihood/suspicion the assailant was another attendee of the conference.