Opinion
11-19-2015
In the Matter of the Claim of Virginia L. ECKERT, Respondent. Fox Mobile Distribution LLC, Appellant. Commissioner of Labor, Respondent.
Mintz & Gold LLP, New York City (Scott A. Klein of counsel), for appellant. James W. Cooper, Warrensburg, for Virginia L. Eckert, respondent.
Mintz & Gold LLP, New York City (Scott A. Klein of counsel), for appellant.
James W. Cooper, Warrensburg, for Virginia L. Eckert, respondent.
Before: McCARTHY, J.P., ROSE, LYNCH and DEVINE, JJ.
DEVINE, J.Appeals from two decisions of the Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board, filed March 26, 2014, which ruled, among other things, that Fox Mobile Distribution LLC was liable for unemployment insurance contributions based on remuneration paid to claimant and others similarly situated.
Fox Mobile Distribution LLC is in the business of developing and selling applications and products for mobile devices, such as ring tones and entertainment programs. Claimant, an experienced writer, worked as a copy writer and editor for Fox from 2009 to 2010. She thereafter applied for unemployment insurance benefits, which prompted the Department of Labor to determine that she was an employee entitled to unemployment benefits and that Fox was liable for additional contributions on remuneration paid to claimant and others similarly employed. Following a hearing, an Administrative Law Judge sustained that determination and the Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board agreed. Fox now appeals.
We affirm. "Whether an employer-employee relationship exists is a factual question to be resolved by the Board and its determination in that regard will be upheld so long as it is supported by substantial evidence, even though there may be evidence in the record that could have supported a contrary conclusion" (Matter of DeRose [Winston Retail Solutions, LLC–Commissioner of Labor], 119 A.D.3d 1174, 1174–1175, 989 N.Y.S.2d 193 [2014] [internal quotation marks and citations omitted]; see Matter of Empire State Towing & Recovery Assn., Inc. [Commissioner of Labor], 15 N.Y.3d 433, 437, 912 N.Y.S.2d 551, 938 N.E.2d 984 [2010] ). While no factor is determinative and all aspects of the work arrangement must be examined, "the primary focus is whether the purported employer exercises control over the results produced or, more importantly, the means by which those results are produced" (Matter of Perdue [Environmental Compliance, Inc.-Commissioner of Labor], 47 A.D.3d 1139, 1140, 850 N.Y.S.2d 681 [2008] [internal quotation marks and citations omitted] ). Here, the record contains substantial evidence that Fox exercised the requisite control over claimant's work product to establish her status as its employee. Claimant was paid at a set hourly wage, entitled to reimbursement for approved travel and expenses and provided a cellular phone to test Fox's products (see id. ). The project team leaders-who were employees-educated her regarding the product, delegated specific writing or editing tasks, provided direction and set completion deadlines. Claimant regularly reviewed her work progress with the project manager, received ongoing feedback and made necessary revisions and adjustments (see Matter of DeRose [Winston Retail Solutions, LLC–Commissioner of Labor], 119 A.D.3d at 1175, 989 N.Y.S.2d 193 ). She was also required to come to Fox's office for meetings and reviews of her copy. The fact that the parties' agreement designated claimant as a contractor is not dispositive (see Matter of Booth [Eagle Intl., Inc.-Commissioner of Labor], 26 A.D.3d 692, 693, 809 N.Y.S.2d 655 [2006] ). Given this evidence, the Board could properly find that claimant was an employee, notwithstanding the record proof that could support a contrary finding (see Matter of Pratt [Cellular Sales of N.Y., LLC–Commissioner of Labor], 128 A.D.3d 1306, 1307, 8 N.Y.S.3d 740 [2015] ).
We have examined the remaining contention of Fox and have found it to be without merit.ORDERED that the decisions are affirmed, without costs.
McCARTHY, J.P., ROSE and LYNCH, JJ., concur.