Court Opinion

ID: 2982512
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-09-22 20:22:42.929705+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:48:12.183024
License: Public Domain

NOT RECOMMENDED FOR FULL-TEXT PUBLICATION
                          File Name: 14a0711n.06

                                      Case No. 13-4364

                         UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
                                                                                    FILED
                                                                              Sep 09, 2014
                              FOR THE SIXTH CIRCUIT                       DEBORAH S. HUNT, Clerk

ABSOLUTE ROOFING &                                )
CONSTRUCTION, INC.,                               )
                                                  )
       Petitioner,                                )      ON PETITION FOR REVIEW
                                                  )      FROM THE OCCUPATIONAL
v.                                                )      SAFETY & HEALTH REVIEW
                                                  )      COMMISSION
SECRETARY OF LABOR,                               )
                                                  )
       Respondent.                                )
                                                  )

BEFORE: SILER and KETHLEDGE, Circuit Judges; WATSON, District Judge.*

       SILER, Circuit Judge. Absolute Roofing & Construction, Inc. (“Absolute”) seeks review

of an Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”) decision affirming citations and penalties assessed by

the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) following a jobsite interview of

Michael Koran by two OSHA Compliance Officers (“COs”). We DENY the petition.

                                      BACKGROUND

       In 2011, OSHA inspected an Absolute jobsite where Koran was performing repair work

on a church without certain safety measures in place. Absolute is a roofing contracting company

owned by Michael Kamis, and Koran is a skilled carpenter who does roofing work. The COs

*
 The Honorable Michael H. Watson, United States District Judge for the Southern District of
Ohio, sitting by designation.
Case No. 13-4364; Absolute Roofing & Constr., Inc. v. Secretary of Labor

asked Koran a series of questions to determine his employment relationship with Absolute.

Based on Koran’s answers, the COs determined that Koran was an employee of Absolute.

       As a result of the inspection, OSHA issued Absolute multiple citations with a total

proposed penalty of $21,120.1 Absolute contested the citations and an ALJ held a hearing on the

merits. The ALJ determined that Koran was not a credible witness because his “testimony

differed in several important respects from the information [he] provided to the COs on the day

of the inspection.” It also found that the subcontract agreement between Koran and Absolute did

not apply to Koran’s work on the church. Then, giving credibility to the COs over Koran, the

ALJ applied the record to the factors outlined in Nationwide Mut. Ins. Co. v. Darden, 503 U.S.
318, 323–24 (1992), and found that Koran was an employee of Absolute.

       The ALJ also determined that neither Koran nor Koran’s business, Koran Construction,

Inc., was an indispensable party to the litigation. It found that, because Koran was Absolute’s

employee, the complaint correctly named Absolute as the only defendant. It likewise determined

that Koran Construction, Inc. was not involved with Koran’s work at the jobsite and was

therefore not an indispensable party to the litigation.

                                    STANDARD OF REVIEW

       We uphold the factual findings of the Occupational Safety and Health Review

Commission (the “Commission”) if they are supported by “substantial evidence on the record

1
  Citation 1, Item 1, alleged a serious violation of 29 C.F.R. § 1926.451(c)(2) for not ensuring
that the scaffold at the jobsite rested on base plates. Citation 1, Item 2, alleged a serious violation
of 29 C.F.R. § 1926.451(g)(1) for not ensuring that the employee using the scaffold was
protected from falls by use of fall protection. Citation 2, Item 1, alleged a repeat-serious violation
of 29 C.F.R. § 1926.451(a)(1) for not ensuring that the scaffold positioned below an employee
on a steep-pitched roof was able to support the intended load that could have been applied to it.
Citation 2, Item 2, alleged a repeat-serious violation of 29 C.F.R § 1926.501(b)(11) for not
ensuring that the employee working on the roof was protected from a fall of approximately 13.3
feet by use of fall protection.
                                                 -2-
Case No. 13-4364; Absolute Roofing & Constr., Inc. v. Secretary of Labor

considered as a whole.” Empire-Detroit Steel Div., Detroit Steel Corp. v. Occupational Safety

and Health Review Comm’n, 579 F.2d 378, 383 (6th Cir. 1978) (quoting 29 U.S.C. § 660(a)).

The Commission’s legal conclusions may be overturned if they are “arbitrary, capricious, an

abuse of discretion, or otherwise not in accordance with the law.” Id. (quoting 5 U.S.C. §

706(2)(A)).

                                           DISCUSSION

   I.      ALJ’s Employee Determination

           A. ALJ’s Credibility Determination

        Absolute argues that the ALJ erred in determining that Koran was an employee of

Absolute and not an independent contractor. As a preliminary matter, Absolute contends that the

ALJ’s credibility determination was patently unreasonable in crediting the COs’ testimony over

Koran’s. In First Nat’l Monetary Corp. v. Weinberger, we held that:

        [c]redibility determinations . . . are generally not to be set aside unless found to be
        inherently incredible or patently unreasonable. Appellate courts defer to the finder
        of fact[] because the factfinder has the opportunity to observe the witnesses’
        demeanors. However, a reviewing court does not act, even in credibility matters,
        as a mere rubber stamp for the administrative action on appeal. A reviewing court
        must consider evidence which fairly detracts from the weight of the credibility
        determination, and in a case where one witness’s testimony is flatly contradicted
        by several others, the court must carefully examine the credibility finding.

819 F.2d 1334, 1339 (6th Cir. 1987) (internal quotation marks and citations omitted).

        The ALJ properly assessed Koran as not credible by assessing his demeanor and by

highlighting the portions of Koran’s interview that contradicted his testimony at the hearing, and

we will therefore defer to its adverse credibility determination. There were five key discrepancies

between the statements Koran made during the investigation and during his testimony:

(1) Koran told the COs that he owned only the tools on his tool belt and that Absolute supplied

   all of the other equipment, but he later testified that he owned all of the tools on the jobsite.

                                                 -3-
Case No. 13-4364; Absolute Roofing & Constr., Inc. v. Secretary of Labor

(2) Koran told the COs that he had been at a different Absolute jobsite the morning before

   reporting to the church jobsite, but he testified that he had been at the church jobsite all day.

(3) Koran told the COs that he was required to report to Absolute’s shop at 7:00 AM and work at

   least eight hours per day, but he testified that he set his own hours.

(4) Koran told the COs that Absolute set his wage and paid him hourly and that he did not have

   the opportunity to earn any profit on the church job. However, Koran testified that he

   submitted an invoice to Absolute for his work on the church job and that he charged an

   hourly rate plus overhead.

(5) Koran told the COs that he was an employee of Absolute, that Kamis was his employer, that

   he was not an independent contractor, and that Kamis controlled the church job. However,

   Koran testified that he subcontracted from Absolute to do the church job, that he controlled

   the site and was responsible for the completion of the church project, and that he was also

   responsible for not having fall protection at the site.

       These discrepancies, coupled with the fact that “Koran’s substantial and ongoing work

relationship with [Absolute] appear[ed] to have influenced his testimony,” led the ALJ to

determine Koran’s testimony was not credible. Further, because the COs’ testimony relied on

Koran’s interview answers during the OSHA investigation, we reject Absolute’s argument that

Koran’s testimony merely contradicts the testimony of the COs, as Koran’s testimony actually

contradicts his own prior statements during the investigation.

           B. The Darden Factors

       Next, Absolute argues that the ALJ erred in finding that Koran was an employee of

Absolute and not an independent contractor because it improperly applied the Darden test to the

                                                -4-
Case No. 13-4364; Absolute Roofing & Constr., Inc. v. Secretary of Labor

facts of this case. In Darden, the Supreme Court adopted the common-law agency test for

determining whether a worker is an employee or an independent contractor:

       [W]e consider the hiring party’s right to control the manner and means by which
       the product is accomplished. Among the other factors relevant to this inquiry are
       the skill required; the source of the instrumentalities and tools; the location of the
       work; the duration of the relationship between the parties; whether the hiring
       party has the right to assign additional projects to the hired party; the extent of the
       hired party’s discretion over when and how long to work; the method of payment;
       the hired party’s role in hiring and paying assistants; whether the work is part of
       the regular business of the hiring party; whether the hiring party is in business; the
       provision of employee benefits; and the tax treatment of the hired party.
503 U.S. at 323–24 (internal quotation marks and citation omitted).

       Absolute argues that it provided uncontroverted evidence for eight factors favoring

independent contractor status. It relies on Koran’s testimony at the hearing, but ignores Koran’s

statements from the investigation. Because the ALJ properly determined Koran’s testimony to be

not credible, we only give credit to the facts provided in the COs’ testimony and in the

handwritten notes from their interview of Koran during the inspection.

       The “skill required” factor does not weigh in favor of a finding that Koran was an

employee because he acquired his highly specialized skill outside of working for Absolute. See

Weary v. Cochran, 377 F.3d 522, 526–27 (6th Cir. 2004). Koran was a skilled carpenter with

over 30 years of experience prior to working for Absolute. Therefore, this factor weighs in favor

of independent contractor status.

       The government concedes that the factors of “the provision of employee benefits” and

“the tax treatment of the hired party” suggest an independent contractor relationship between

Koran and Absolute rather than an employer-employee relationship. Because Absolute gave no

employee benefits to Koran and because Koran only received a Form 1099, a federal tax form

for independent contractors, these factors weigh in favor of independent contractor status.

                                                -5-
Case No. 13-4364; Absolute Roofing & Constr., Inc. v. Secretary of Labor

Nevertheless, the three factors that weigh in favor of independent contractor status must be

balanced with the remaining ten factors, which weigh in favor of an employer-employee

relationship between Absolute and Koran. See Darden, 503 U.S. at 324.

       Absolute argues that “the source of the instrumentalities and tools” factor weighs in favor

of Koran’s independent contractor status, but relies solely on Koran’s discredited testimony to

support its position, stating that Koran testified to supplying all the tools used on the church

jobsite. While the fact that a hired party works with all of his own tools would support a finding

of independent contractor status, see, e.g., Trs. of Resilient Floor Decorators Ins. Fund v. A & M

Installations, Inc., 395 F.3d 244, 250 (6th Cir. 2005), Koran told the COs that the ladder,

scaffold, slide cutter, and other tools onsite were the property of Absolute. Therefore, this factor

weighs in favor of a finding that Koran was an employee of Absolute.

       In regard to “the duration of the relationship between the parties” factor, Absolute argues

that, because the relationship between it and Koran lasted approximately four months, and

because Koran performed work for Absolute only when called, this factor weighs in favor of

independent contractor status. Evidence of an indefinite duration favors employee status rather

than independent contractor status. See FM Home Improvement, 22 BNA OSHC 1531, at *8

(2009). Even though Koran only worked for about four months at the time of the investigation,

he had worked on approximately twelve different projects for Absolute, and he continued to

work for Absolute for almost one year after the inspection. Therefore, these facts favor a finding

that Koran was an employee of Absolute.2

2
 The record is unclear as to whether Koran stopped working almost one year after the inspection
or if he worked up to the date of the hearing and potentially thereafter. Regardless, the fact that
Koran did not have a set period of employment reveals him to be Absolute’s employee.
                                               -6-
Case No. 13-4364; Absolute Roofing & Constr., Inc. v. Secretary of Labor

       Moreover, the subcontract agreement did not indicate a definite employment relationship

between Koran and Absolute. One of the COs testified that subcontractors normally sign a

different subcontract agreement for each job. However, the subcontract agreement between

Absolute and Koran makes no reference to the church job. The CO testified that this type of

subcontract is indicative of a blanket subcontract that covers all work for an indefinite period of

time, which, in his experience, is used to “skirt the system” and avoid the responsibilities of an

employer-employee relationship. Therefore, the indefinite nature of the subcontract favors

Koran’s employee status. See FM Home Improvement, 22 BNA OSHC 1531, at *8.

       Absolute argues that the “whether the hiring party has the right to assign additional

projects to the hired party” factor also weighs in favor of a finding that Koran was an

independent contractor because, even though it had the right to assign additional projects, Koran

was under no obligation to accept these jobs. However, Absolute assigned tasks to Koran on a

daily basis, Koran reported to Absolute at 7:00 each morning to receive his job assignments, and

Absolute called Koran on the day of the inspection to send him to the church jobsite from a

different Absolute jobsite. Koran also told the COs that Absolute had the right to assign him

additional duties. Therefore, this factor favors a finding that Koran was an employee. See Sharon

& Walter Constr., 23 BNA OSHC 1286, at *3 (2010) (finding in part that a worker was an

employee because the company required him to report back to headquarters for additional

assignments if he finished his work before the end of his shift).

       Next, Absolute argues that the “when and how long to work” factor weighs in favor of

Koran’s independent contractor status because Koran “determined the scope of the job, how long

it would take to complete, and what was needed to complete the job.” However, these facts stem

from Koran’s discredited testimony. Unlike an independent contractor who has complete

                                                -7-
Case No. 13-4364; Absolute Roofing & Constr., Inc. v. Secretary of Labor

authority over when and how long to work, Koran’s hours were controlled by Absolute, so this

factor favors employee status. Cf. Weary, 377 F.3d at 527 (finding in part that, because the hired

party controlled his hours and was “free to take vacation at his leisure and did not report his

hours to anyone,” the hired party was an independent contractor).

       Lastly, Absolute contests “the method of payment” factor. Absolute contends that Koran

“is not paid on a strict hourly basis, but instead was paid based on a formula he established that

includes and [sic] hourly rate, overhead, and profit.” But Koran told the COs that Absolute set

his wage and paid him by the hour. A hired party is more likely an independent contractor when

he is paid solely upon a commission basis and does not earn a salary. See Weary, 377 F.3d at

527. Koran’s set hourly wage weighs in favor of employee status. See Daniel Crowe Roof Repair

and Its Successors, 23 BNA OSHC 2011, *13 (No. 10-2090, 2011) (ALJ).

       Absolute summarily asserts that “the location of the work” and the “hired party’s role of

hiring assistants” factors are not relevant to this case and therefore should not be analyzed. We

disagree. Koran reported to work at Absolute jobsites every day, which favors a finding that he

was an employee. Cf. Weary, 377 F.3d at 527 (finding in part that a hired party was an

independent contractor because he worked from an office rented at his expense, not at the hiring

party’s offices). Also, Koran told the COs that he had no authority to hire or fire anyone, and he

worked alone at the church jobsite, further revealing his employee status. Cf. id. (finding in part

that a hired party who had the sole discretion in hiring assistants was an independent contractor).

       Absolute concedes that the “whether the work is part of the regular business of the hiring

party” and “whether the hiring party is in business” factors both weigh in favor of a finding that

Koran was an employee of Absolute. Finally, each of the factors favoring employee status

bolster the first factor, “the hiring party's right to control the manner and means by which the

                                               -8-
Case No. 13-4364; Absolute Roofing & Constr., Inc. v. Secretary of Labor

product is accomplished.” This factor is “a broad consideration that is embodied in many of the

specific factors articulated in Darden.” Weary, 377 F.3d at 525. Therefore, the ALJ properly

assessed the Darden factors in determining that Koran was an employee of Absolute because ten

of the thirteen factors weigh heavily in favor of an employee-employer relationship.3

    II.      Indispensable Parties

          Absolute argues that the ALJ erred in not naming Koran, the individual, and Koran

Construction, Inc. as indispensable parties to the litigation. It contends that Koran’s testimony

indicates he was solely responsible for not adequately securing the scaffolding and for not having

fall protection and was therefore an indispensable party. It also argues that Koran Construction,

Inc. performed work for Absolute during the time of the investigation and was therefore an

indispensable party to the litigation.

          Pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 19(a)(1)(A), a person must be joined as a

party to a proceeding if, “in that person’s absence, the court cannot accord complete relief among

existing parties.” Koran was not an indispensable party to the litigation because he was an

employee of Absolute. Koran told the COs during the inspection that he was an employee of

Absolute. Koran testified that he signed the subcontract agreement and worked for Absolute as

Koran, the individual, and not on behalf of Koran Construction, Inc. Likewise, Koran

Construction, Inc. was not an indispensable party to the litigation because it was not involved in

the Absolute jobsite. The Form 1099 that Absolute provided to Koran was issued to Koran the

individual. Also, no bids or invoices by Koran Construction, Inc. were addressed to Absolute.

3
  Absolute urges us to use a twenty-factor list acknowledged by Darden and used by the Internal
Revenue Service (“IRS”) to determine Koran’s employment status. See Darden, 503 U.S. at 324.
We decline to make this inquiry because we find the Darden test to be comprehensive. Also,
Darden does not suggest that we should supplement its common-law test with the IRS factors,
see id., and we will not expand the test without such a directive.
                                              -9-
Case No. 13-4364; Absolute Roofing & Constr., Inc. v. Secretary of Labor

And though Koran’s testimony was determined to be not credible by the ALJ, the one consistent

part of his testimony was that Koran Construction, Inc. was not involved in the church jobsite.

   III.      Opportunity to Participate

          Absolute argues for the first time on appeal that, because the COs failed to give Kamis

the opportunity to participate in OSHA’s inspection, its citations should be dismissed. “No

objection that has not been urged before the Commission shall be considered by the court, unless

the failure or neglect to urge such objection shall be excused because of extraordinary

circumstances.” 29 U.S.C. § 660(a). Absolute did not raise this issue in its post-hearing brief or

in its petition for discretionary review to the Commission, and it has failed to argue that

extraordinary circumstances prevented it from raising the issue. Therefore, we do not have

jurisdiction over Absolute’s argument that OSHA should have given it an opportunity to

participate in the inspection. 29 U.S.C. § 660(a); Nat'l Eng'g & Contracting Co. v. Herman,

181 F.3d 715, 720 (6th Cir. 1999).

          REVIEW DENIED.

                                               - 10 -