Richardson v. Division of Employment Security

# Richardson v. Division of Employment Security **What Happened** Richardson worked for Seniortrust of Columbia, LLC and was terminated after falling asleep at work. The company denied him unemployment benefits, claiming his behavior constituted willful misconduct—deliberately breaking workplace rules. **What the Court Decided** The court ruled in Richardson's favor and reversed the decision to deny unemployment benefits. The judge found that the employer failed to prove Richardson intentionally misbehaved. Importantly, the court considered that Richardson's sleepiness was caused by prescribed medication's side effects, which were involuntary. The court also noted that Richardson had made genuine efforts to show up to work despite being ill. **Why This Matters for Workers** This ruling protects employees whose performance problems stem from medical issues beyond their control. If you're terminated for behavior caused by prescribed medication or illness, you may still qualify for unemployment benefits even if the employer claims misconduct. The court recognizes the difference between intentional rule-breaking and unavoidable medical conditions. Workers should document their efforts to work through health issues and keep records of any medications that could affect job performance.