Court of Appeal Upholds Independent Contractor Status

The Court of Appeal rejected a plaintiff's claim that he was an employee rather than an independent contractor. The plaintiff alleged that the independent contractor agreement's "at will" clause established employee status. The court of appeal disagreed, holding that the other indicia of contractor status were so strong that they overcame the at-will employment clause. The court found persuasive that the company did not control the worker, an inspector, at the job site, that he provided his own tools and equipment, that he performed skilled work, and the parties' agreement contemplated the independent contractor relationship.

The case is Varisco v. Gateway Science and Eng'g and the opinion is here.