Is an employee in Philadelphia who is injured while exercising during lunch entitled to workers’ compensation?

An employee who exercises on their own time is normally not entitled to workers’ compensation if they are injured. But some exceptions exist.

An employee will be entitled to workers’ compensation if they are furthering the employer’s interest at the time of the injury. For example, if an employer encourages its employees to exercise and grants its employees access to company facilities, such as a gymnasium or fitness center, workers’ compensation will cover the employee’s injury. Another example is when an employee exercises during non-working hours to meet the physical requirements for a particular job, like a transit police officer.