are you really a Independent Contractor or Employee Test for Truck Drivers

Discussion in 'Lease Purchase Trucking Forum' started by CREASEY TRANS, Aug 31, 2015.

  1. CREASEY TRANS

    CREASEY TRANS Light Load Member

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    Aug 29, 2015
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    Independent Contractor or Employee Test for Truck Drivers


    Wonder if you or another truck driver you know have been misclassified as an independent contractor? Here are some of the criteria used by the California Labor Commissioner to assess whether a truck driver has been misclassified as an independent contractor. These factors were taken directly out of a Labor Commissioner decision finding that a driver was an employee, not an independent contractor. This particular employee was awarded well over $100,000 in his claim for unreimbursed business expenses against the trucking company he worked for.

    But First: The Labor Commissioner and the courts will look behind any contract between the parties that states that the driver is an “independent contractor” in order to examine the facts that characterize the parties’ actual relationship. Analysis: So if you have an “independent contractor” agreement (a written contract), it does not mean that you are an independent contractor. The Labor Commissioner and courts must look beyond such an agreement and see what is really going on.

    Independent Contractor or Employee Test – Factors Used to Determine Whether an Owner-Operator is an Independent Contractor or Employee
    Below are the factors that must be used by a court or Labor Commissioner to figure out whether an owner-operator is an employee or a true independent contractor. Note that all of these factors are important, but the most important factor is the level of control the company has over the driver.

    Most Important Factor: The Level of Control the Company has Over the Driver
    The “principal test of an employment relationship is whether the person to whom service is rendered has the right to control the manner and means of accomplishing the result desired.” Tieberg v. Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board (1970) 2 Cal.3d 943.
    Analysis:In other words, the most important question is how much control a trucking company has over the owner-operator. The more control the trucking company has over the owner-operator, the more likely it is that the owner-operator is an employee. The less control the trucking company has over the owner-operator, the less likely it is that the owner-operator is an employee. Each of the following factors is in addition to this “control” test.
    Example of Facts Tending to Show an Employment Relationship: Company owns Driver’s truck, tells him where he has to go for maintenance. Company sets Driver’s schedule (i.e., Company requires him to work six days on and two days off). Company schedules pickup and delivery of Driver’s loads. Company gives Driver preferred routes for his hauls, and if Driver wants to change the route, he has to get permission from Company first. Company instructs Driver on how to deliver loads. Company monitors Driver’s truck by GPS. Company holds all required licenses in Company’s name. Company prohibits Driver from having a passenger. Company prohibits Driver from taking any loads for another company.
    Example of Facts Tending to Show an Independent Contractor Relationship: Driver works under minimal supervision of Company. Driver can hire others to haul for him. Driver can work any schedule. Driver can take any route he pleases. Driver has required licenses in his name. Driver can pull for other companies.

    The Type of Work Performed vs. The Employer’s Business Model
    Another factor in the independent contractor vs. employee test is “whether the person performing services is engaged in an occupation or business distinct from that of the principal.”
    Analysis: What type of business is the alleged employer in? If the alleged employer is a trucking company and the driver is a trucker, then they are in the same industry. But if the alleged employer makes TVs and the driver hauls the TVs to a distributor, then the alleged employer and driver are in possibly different industries (manufacturing vs. trucking).
    Example of Facts Tending to Show an Employment Relationship: Petroleum hauling company uses driver to haul petroleum.
    Example of Facts Tending to Show an Independent Contractor Relationship: Book printing company uses driver to take printed books to a distribution point.

    Is The Work Performed Part of the Regular Business of the Trucking Company?
    Another factor is independent contractor vs. employee test is “whether or not the work is part of the regular business of the principal.”
    Analysis: If the driving is something that is part and parcel of what the alleged employer does as a business, then there would be a higher likelihood that the driver is an employee.
    Example of Facts Tending to Show an Employment Relationship: Petroleum hauling company uses driver to haul petroleum.
    Example of Facts Tending to Show an Independent Contractor Relationship: Book printing company uses driver to take printed books to a distribution point.

    The Place of Work and Equipment Used
    Another factor in the independent contractor vs. employee test is “whether the principle or the worker supplies the instrumentalities, tools, and the place for the person doing the work.
    Analysis:
    Example of Facts Tending to Show an Employment Relationship: Company supplies Driver with a truck and a place to park it. Company provides maintenance services for the truck.
    Example of Facts Tending to Show an Independent Contractor Relationship: Driver has his own truck and parks it anywhere he pleases. Driver can take the truck anywhere for maintenance.

    The Driver’s Use of His/Her Own Equipment
    Another factor in the independent contractor vs. employee test is “the alleged employee’s investment in the equipment or materials required by his task.”
    Analysis: An independent contractor usually has his or her own equipment. In this case, it would be a truck, which Driver owns.
    Example of Facts Tending to Show an Employment Relationship: Company owns the truck Driver uses.
    Example of Facts Tending to Show an Independent Contractor Relationship: Driver owns the truck that he uses to haul for Company. (If the Driver leases the truck from Company, it may not really be a lease. Company still owns the truck in most cases.)

    The Skill Required of the Driver
    Another factor in the independent contractor vs. employee test is “the skill required in the particular occupation.”
    Analysis: If the skill required for a job is very high, then the less likely the worker is an employee.
    Example of Facts Tending to Show an Employment Relationship: Driver works for Company as a long-haul driver.
    Example of Facts Tending to Show an Independent Contractor Relationship: Person works for Company coding Company’s website database that is used for managing drivers.

    The Level of Supervision
    Another factor in the independent contractor vs. employee test is “the kind of occupation, with reference to whether, in the locality, the work is usually done under the direction of the principal or by a specialist without supervision.”
    Analysis: An independent contractor usually works with little supervision, only periodic progress checks, and delivers a final product or service. If the worker has to report to a supervisor, who keeps tabs on the worker and directs his/her work on an ongoing, day-to-day basis, then the worker is more likely an employee.
    Example of Facts Tending to Show an Employment Relationship: Driver has to ask his supervisor for approval before taking any time off. All of the customers are the company’s customers. Driver does not bill customers or collect payments from them.
    Example of Facts Tending to Show an Independent Contractor Relationship: Driver does not have a supervisor at Company.

    The Driver’s Opportunity to Make a Profit
    Another factor in the independent contractor vs. employee test is “the alleged employee’s opportunity for profit or loss depending on his managerial skills.”
    Analysis: An independent contractor is basically his/her own business. He/she runs that business to make a profit, like most businesses in the world. If the independent contractor thinks that he/she can make more money by, for example, hiring more employees or changing routes or using cheaper mechanics, then it is within his/her discretion to do so. But if there is no real opportunity for the worker to make a profit or loss, then the worker is more likely an employee.
    Example of Facts Tending to Show an Employment Relationship: Driver cannot choose his/her own mechanics, tires, fuel, or insurance. Driver cannot subcontract out his/her work.
    Example of Facts Tending to Show an Independent Contractor Relationship: Driver chooses his/her own mechanics, tires, fuel, and insurance. Driver can hire others to perform the work. Driver can run the business in order to increase his/her profit.

    The Duration of the Services Performed
    Another factor in the independent contractor vs. employee test is “the length of time for which the services are to be performed.”
    Analysis: If the job is project-based (i.e., one project at a time), it is more likely to be an independent contractor relationship. If, however, the job is ongoing, then it is more likely an employment relationship.
    Example of Facts Tending to Show an Employment Relationship: Driver is hired without any set end date for his services.
    Example of Facts Tending to Show an Independent Contractor Relationship: Driver is hired on a project-by-project basis.

    The Degree of Permanence of the Relationship
    Another factor in the independent contractor vs. employee test is “the degree of permanence of the working relationship.”
    Analysis: How secure is the driver’s work? Can he be terminated at any time? If so, then he/she is likely an “at will employee.” If, however, the driver works on a project-by-project basis and may not be hired back at the conclusion of the project, he/she is more likely to be an independent contractor.
    Example of Facts Tending to Show an Employment Relationship: Driver is always on the payroll; his term of employment is indefinite (he can be terminated at will or quit at any time).
    Example of Facts Tending to Show an Independent Contractor Relationship: Driver works on a project without any expectation of receiving more work once the project is done.

    The Method of Payment
    Another factor in the independent contractor vs. employee test is “the method of payment, whether by time or by the job.”
    Analysis: If a worker is paid by the job (i.e., $500 per load), he is more likely an independent contractor. If, however, the worker is paid by the hour, he is more likely an employee. This issue frequently comes up in trucker misclassification cases, because most are paid by the mile or by the job. Even if a trucker is paid by the mile or by the job, that does not necessarily mean that the trucker is an independent contractor. If the answer to only a few of these factors points to an independent contractor relationship, the worker can still be an employee. It depends mostly on the level of control. The other factors are secondary in comparison to the control factor.
    Example of Facts Tending to Show an Employment Relationship: Driver is paid by the hour.
    Example of Facts Tending to Show an Independent Contractor Relationship: Driver is paid by the mile.

    The Intent of the Parties
    Another factor in the independent contractor vs. employee test is “whether or not the parties believe they are
    creating an employer-employee relationship.”
    Analysis: This factor is important, but not determinative. Do the parties think they are creating an independent contractor relationship or an employment relationship. If the worker believes he is an employee, because for example he is treated the same as Company’s employees, despite his independent contractor/owner operator title, then the worker may likely be an employee. If, however, the worker truly believes that he is in an independent contractor relationship, then it weighs in favor of finding that he is an independent contractor.
    Example of Facts Tending to Show an Employment Relationship: Driver was an employee and Company switched him to an owner-operator, but his duties and job did not change. Driver believes
    he is an employee because Company treats him like one.
    Example of Facts Tending to Show an Independent Contractor Relationship: Driver knows that he is an independent contractor and wants to be treated as such.
     
    Last edited: Aug 31, 2015
    Reason for edit: hade some unneeded text
    driverdriver Thanks this.
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  3. fireba11

    fireba11 Heavy Load Member

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    Because of the Long term nature of a truck leased to a company, then by these standards all O/O's leased to a company are employees because we are not hired on a project by project basis.
     
    CREASEY TRANS Thanks this.
  4. thelushlarry

    thelushlarry Road Train Member

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    This test gave me a headache.
     
    RStewart and lots of character Thank this.
  5. 123456

    123456 Road Train Member

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    Looks like an ad for Palay Law Firm............
     
  6. Cottonmouth85

    Cottonmouth85 Bad Influence

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    That could've been alot shorter and I might have read it.
     
    HalpinUout Thanks this.
  7. KeithT1967

    KeithT1967 Road Train Member

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    My contract states it can be terminated at any time by either party without cause or prejudice. .. paraphrased of course.
     
    CREASEY TRANS Thanks this.
  8. CREASEY TRANS

    CREASEY TRANS Light Load Member

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    no not a ad just something for the ones that want to jump right in and think they got it made and that's only cause I've been there
     
    Cat sdp Thanks this.
  9. MysticHZ

    MysticHZ Road Train Member

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    Actually it would be the reverse ... employment has no termination date ... the contract, regardless of its length, has a termination point.
     
  10. Cat sdp

    Cat sdp . .

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    As long as they help end the lease scam......
     
  11. CREASEY TRANS

    CREASEY TRANS Light Load Member

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    there a slim line between lease and company I know quite a few drivers in a big lawsuit over the fact they were supposed to be a lease but come to find out government said no you employees
     
    Boss Hogg Outlaw Thanks this.
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