Court Opinion

ID: 9738913
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 20:05:09.761378+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:24:09.199503
License: Public Domain

Michael J. Kelly, P.J.
(concurring in part and dissenting in part). I agree with the majority that the trial court erred in granting summary disposition in favor of defendant. I do not, however, agree that the matter should be summarily disposed of in plaintiffs favor. Accordingly, I would remand the case for trial.
I find that defendant has presented evidence which arguably would satisfy factor 4 of the economic reality test and that a triable issue therefore has been presented. As stated in the majority opinion, defendant is statutorily responsible for providing the facilities, equipment, and supplies necessary for the probation and parole department to function. Defendant, through its essential support of the department, is thus responsible, along with the state, for providing the circuit court with probation services. Plaintiffs role with the department was to assist in the delivery of such services. On the basis of this evidence, a reasonable trier of fact could find that the performance of plaintiffs duties was an integral part of defendant’s ability to provide the circuit court with probation services, thereby satisfying factor 4 of the test.
Having found evidence to support the fourth factor of the economic reality test, and given the significance of defendant’s contribution to the probation and parole department, I conclude that, when viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to defendant, a rational trier of fact could find that defendant was plaintiffs "co-employer.” Where differing inferences may reasonably be drawn from the known facts, the issue is one for the trier of fact. Nichol v Billot, 406 Mich 284, 302; 279 NW2d 761 (1979). Furthermore, I do not find it dispositive that defendant has met only one *642of the four test factors, because it is the totality of the circumstances surrounding the employment which must be considered, not the number of factors satisfied. See Farrell v Dearborn Mfg Co, 416 Mich 267, 276; 330 NW2d 397 (1982). Neither is it dispositive that the circuit court is part of the state judiciary, because court employees have been held to be employees of the county for purposes of the Workers’ Disability Compensation Act. See Nezdropa v Wayne Co, 152 Mich App 451; 394 NW2d 440 (1986).
I would remand for trial.