Opinion ID: 571453
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Arledge as an Independent Contractor.

Text: 19 New York law, which governs this diversity action, continues to provide for employment at will. It is still settled law in New York that, absent an agreement establishing a fixed duration, an employment relationship is presumed to be a hiring at will, terminable at any time by either party. Sabetay v. Sterling Drug, Inc., 69 N.Y.2d 329, 333, 506 N.E.2d 919, 920, 514 N.Y.S.2d 209, 211 (1987) (citation omitted). This rule applies to contracts of employment or exclusive agency, distributorship, or requirements contracts which have been analogized to employment contracts. Haines v. City of New York, 41 N.Y.2d 769, 772-73, 364 N.E.2d 820, 822-23, 396 N.Y.S.2d 155, 158 (1977); see also Foster v. Citrus County Land Bureau, Inc., 133 A.D.2d 665, 666, 519 N.Y.S.2d 836, 837 (2d Dep't 1987). 20 In contesting the applicability of the at will rule to the Contract, Arledge argues that the Contract is not analogous to an employment contract because he is an independent contractor. Even assuming that the Contract was between Arledge as an independent contractor and Stratmar, however, the Contract is sufficiently analogous to an employment contract to bring it within the purview of the at will rule. Arledge's relationship with Stratmar bore the earmarks of employment: he acted as Stratmar's sales representative; his compensation was tied to his performance; his performance was subject to periodic review; and he was required to attend Stratmar business meetings, submit written reports, participate in the planning of company strategy, and adhere to company policy. As Arledge acknowledges, the resoluteness with which the New York Court of Appeals has reaffirmed the at will rule indicates that exceptions to the rule are discouraged. See, e.g., Sabetay, 69 N.Y.2d at 336, 506 N.E.2d at 913, 514 N.Y.S.2d at 213 (significant alteration of employment relationships ... is best left to the Legislature); Murphy v. American Home Products Corp., 58 N.Y.2d 293, 301-02, 448 N.E.2d 86, 89, 461 N.Y.S.2d 232, 235-36 (1983) (same). We decline to recognize an exception here. 1 21