Matter of Eiber Translations, Inc. (Commr. of Labor)

The Dispute
Eiber Translations, Inc. worked with interpreters who provided translation services. The main question was whether these interpreters should be classified as employees of the company or as independent contractors. This distinction matters because employees are entitled to unemployment benefits and other workplace protections that independent contractors don't receive. The Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board had initially ruled that the interpreters were employees.

The Court's Decision
The court disagreed with the Appeal Board and ruled that the interpreters were independent contractors, not employees. The judges found that Eiber Translations didn't have enough control over how the interpreters did their work to create an employer-employee relationship. The company won this case.

What This Means for Workers
This ruling shows how courts analyze whether someone is an employee or contractor by looking at how much control the company has over the worker's methods and processes. Workers classified as independent contractors lose access to unemployment insurance and other employee benefits. If you're unsure about your classification, pay attention to how much your company controls when, where, and how you perform your work.