Opinion ID: 1034620
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Integral Part of Alleged Employer’s Business

Text: The sixth and final factor considers the extent to which the service rendered is an integral part of the alleged employer’s business. This factor weighs clearly and strongly toward employee status. Approximately two-thirds of Knight’s business consists of the telecommunications installation and repair services it performs for BHN. Knight relies on approximately five hundred technicians to perform installations and 20 Case: 12-12614 Date Filed: 07/16/2013 Page: 21 of 23 repairs in BHN customers’ homes and businesses. Knight’s website described its Installation Services department as the “backbone” of its business. The integral role played by technicians in Knight’s business shows that the arrangement follows more closely that of an employer-employee relationship than an independent contractor dynamic. If Knight had truly outsourced such a large portion of its business, as would be true if plaintiffs were independent contractors, then the company would retain far less control over the business. However, because of Knight’s concern with the quality of the services it provides through this arrangement, it does, as one might expect, control the relationship in much the same way a company would control its employees. The technicians’ integral part in Knight’s business follows the “usual path of an employee.” Assuming factual inferences in favor of plaintiffs, this factor points strongly toward employee status.