Depending on who you ask, dates don’t necessarily have to be romantic in nature. A date is basically a social appointment. It can often be romantic, but it need not be. That said, most folks I hang out with tend to put “date” somwhere between “Hanging out” (casual meeting purely for platonic purposes in most cases) and “Going out” (ie: There’s a relationship going on).
So I can go on a date with a girl, but not expect anything out of it but the grace of her presence and hopefully pleasant dinner conversation. (Actually, I’ve done this)
I’d say a “date” to some kind of social event usually means there’s some kind of romantic situation involved.
“I made a date with my accountant to review my tax forms” = just an appointment
“I have a date with my accountant” = most likely something romantic/social
“I’m going on a date with my accountant” = definitely romantic/social.
I don’t see how you can call an evening spent with a married colleague at a social-yet-work-related event a date. It’s just “going to the event together” - not a date. You “made a date” to go together. You didn’t “have” or “go on” a date.
I would call this whole thing at this point a misunderstanding. Not sexual harassment. It sounds like your boss might have felt it was a work function and you felt it wasn’t. Why don’t you explain things to her and say you felt it was a social event and therefore you weren’t required to bring any particular person from work and that you asked Sally as a friend. As for asking Sally what was with the hair and Sally saying “Oh, nothing” and then being told that such an answer means she “deceived” management, well Sally has to stand up for herself and say that she is not obligated to discuss her hairstyle choices with anyone.
Well, unless I’m the chaperone to make sure her and the young man don’t engage in any activity that would positively ruin her changes for marriage, I would disagree that I can “take” my sister on a date.
But you are right; this whole “date” thing is a word quibble and not germane to the OP.