Opinion ID: 1843765
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: permanency and duration

Text: The next factor often used as a tool in determining a worker's degree of economic dependence deals with the degree of permanency and duration of the working relationship. The trial court determined that Hageman had worked at Park West Gardens from March of 1988 until March of 1990. The trial court further noted that Hageman did not do outside work. Traditionally, `[i]ndependent contractors' often have fixed employment periods and transfer from place to place as particular work is offered to them, whereas `employees' usually work for only one employer and such relationship is continuous and of an indefinite duration. Dole v. Snell, 875 F.2d 802, 811 (10th Cir.1989). In considering permanency and duration as they relate to the degree of a worker's economic dependence, we find the following language in Robicheaux relevant: While some of the welders may have been independent contractors for other companies before commencing work with Radcliff, this fact does not preclude a finding that they exchanged this status for the security of the present employee relationship. They thereby obtained the benefit of steady reliable work over a substantial period of time and became economically dependent on a single source of income. Robicheaux v. Radcliff Material, Inc., 697 F.2d at 667 (emphasis added). However, [e]conomic dependence is not [necessarily] conditioned on reliance on an alleged employer for one's primary source of income, for the necessities of life. Brock v. Mr. W Fireworks, 814 F.2d at 1054 (emphasis in original). Rather, the proper test... `examines whether the workers are dependent on a particular business or organization for their continued employment.' Id., quoting Donovan v. DialAmerica Marketing, Inc., 757 F.2d at 1385 (emphasis in original). In this case, after working exclusively at Park West Gardens for approximately two years, Hageman became dependent upon Park West Gardens/Midwest Management for his continued employment as well as his livelihood.