From Casetext: Smarter Legal Research

In re FMI Interpreting Services

Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, Third Department
Apr 29, 1993
192 A.D.2d 1006 (N.Y. App. Div. 1993)

Opinion

April 29, 1993

Appeal from the Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board.


FMI Interpreting Services is an agency which supplies interpreters for the hearing impaired. When a client requests the services of an interpreter, FMI decides whom to call from its pool of interpreters. Prior to their selection by FMI, the interpreters have no contact with the client. Any complaints by the client regarding the services performed by the interpreter are made directly to FMI. FMI supplies the interpreters with forms which they have to submit twice a month so that FMI can compute the remuneration owed to them. Not only will FMI pay the interpreters even if the client fails to pay FMI, but the interpreters get paid if the client is a "no show". We therefore conclude that there is substantial evidence in the record to support the determination of the Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board that the sign language interpreters engaged by FMI are its employees and not independent contractors (see, Matter of Concourse Ophthalmology Assocs. [Roberts], 60 N.Y.2d 734, 736; Matter of Chopik [Newman — Hartnett], 145 A.D.2d 747; Matter of Gentile Nursing Servs. [Roberts], 106 A.D.2d 763, 765 [dissenting mem], revd on dissenting mem below 65 N.Y.2d 622). As the Board noted, an employer-employee relationship can still exist even though the people involved are free to work for other companies (see, Matter of Chopik [Newman — Hartnett], supra). Although the record contains evidence which might support a contrary conclusion, the Board's decision finding an employer-employee relationship is supported by substantial evidence and must therefore be upheld (see, Matter of CDK Delivery Serv. [Hartnett], 151 A.D.2d 932, 933).

Weiss, P.J., Levine, Crew III and Mahoney, JJ., concur. Ordered that the decision is affirmed, without costs.


Summaries of

In re FMI Interpreting Services

Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, Third Department
Apr 29, 1993
192 A.D.2d 1006 (N.Y. App. Div. 1993)
Case details for

In re FMI Interpreting Services

Case Details

Full title:In the Matter of FMI INTERPRETING SERVICES, Appellant. JOHN F. HUDACS, as…

Court:Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, Third Department

Date published: Apr 29, 1993

Citations

192 A.D.2d 1006 (N.Y. App. Div. 1993)
597 N.Y.S.2d 209

Citing Cases

In re Claim of Viau

Matter of Ruano [Commissioner of Labor], 118 A.D.3d at 1089, 987 N.Y.S.2d 491); if she knew she needed time…

Viau v. N.Y. State Office of Court Admin.

Upon arriving at work each morning, claimant reported to the senior court interpreter, who told her where to…