Giltner, Inc. v. Idaho Department of Commerce & Labor

179 P.3d 1071, 145 Idaho 415, 2008 Ida. LEXIS 38
CourtIdaho Supreme Court
DecidedFebruary 29, 2008
Docket33611
StatusPublished
Cited by13 cases

This text of 179 P.3d 1071 (Giltner, Inc. v. Idaho Department of Commerce & Labor) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Idaho Supreme Court primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Giltner, Inc. v. Idaho Department of Commerce & Labor, 179 P.3d 1071, 145 Idaho 415, 2008 Ida. LEXIS 38 (Idaho 2008).

Opinions

BURDICK, Justice.

The Idaho Department of Commerce and Labor determined that certain drivers employed by Appellant Giltner, Inc. were covered employees for which it was liable for unpaid unemployment insurance taxes and penalties. The Idaho Industrial Commission affirmed that decision. Giltner appeals that decision. We affirm.

I.FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

Giltner, Inc. (Giltner) is a transportation company located in Jerome, Idaho, and operating in a number of states. Giltner engages two types of drivers to deliver goods and merchandise to its customers. First, Giltner employs “company drivers” who are paid by the mile and receive traditional benefits. Second, Giltner engages “owner/operator drivers” who are paid a set percentage of the load delivered. There are two types of “owner/operator drivers,” those who operate under their own Department of Transportation (DOT) authority and those who operate under Giltner’s DOT authority (reclassified drivers). This second class of “owner/operator drivers” are the subject of this appeal.

Each of the reclassified drivers entered into two agreements with Giltner: a “Contractor Operating/Lease Agreement” and an “Equipment Lease Agreement” (collectively lease agreements). Giltner drafted both of these documents, and neither was subject to negotiation.

At some point, a now-reclassified driver filed a claim for unemployment insurance benefits against Giltner. When the Respondent, State of Idaho, Department of Commerce and Labor (the Department), was processing this claim, it discovered that Giltner had not reported any wages for that driver. This led the Department to conduct an audit of Giltner, covering the fourth quarter of 2002 through the fourth quarter of 2003. A tax auditor found that the remuneration received by the reclassified drivers was wages for covered employment and imposed a tax liability of $50,832.24 for the audit period. Giltner filed a timely appeal of the tax liability determination to the Department. An Appeals Examiner for the Department conducted a three-day hearing. It then affirmed the finding of unemployment tax liability. Giltner timely appealed that decision to the Idaho Industrial Commission (the Commission). The Commission conducted a de novo review of the record, but did not conduct a hearing or take additional evidence. The Commission then affirmed the Department’s finding of unemployment tax liability. Giltner now appeals that decision to this Court.

II.STANDARD OF REVIEW

“On appeal from the Industrial Commission, this Court exercises free review of the Commission’s legal conclusions, but will not disturb findings of fact if they are supported by substantial and competent evidence.” Steen v. Denny’s Rest, 135 Idaho 234, 235, 16 P.3d 910, 911 (2000). “Substantial and competent evidence is relevant evidence that a reasonable mind might accept to support a conclusion.” Uhl v. Ballard Med. Prods., 138 Idaho 653, 657, 67 P.3d 1265, 1269 (2003). “The conclusions reached by the Industrial Commission regarding the credibility and weight of evidence will not be disturbed unless the conclusions are clearly erroneous.” Excell Constr., Inc. v. State, Dept. of Labor, 141 Idaho 688, 692, 116 P.3d 18, 22 (2005) (citing Hughen v. Highland Ests., 137 Idaho 349, 351, 48 P.3d 1238, 1240 (2002)). We will not re-weigh the evidence or consider whether we would have drawn a different conclusion from the evidence presented. Id.

III.ANALYSIS

Giltner argues the Commission incorrectly used evidence of compliance with state and federal law to indicate direction and control when determining whether the reclassified drivers were its employees, and that the Commission erred when it determined the drivers were not engaged in an independent trade. Giltner also maintains that the reclassified drivers were not similarly situated, thus it was error for the Commission not to consider each driver individually. Next, Giltner argues that the Commission abused its discretion by not hearing oral argument on [419]*419appeal and not taking new evidence. Finally, Giltner seeks attorney fees on appeal. We will address each issue in turn.

A. The reclassified drivers were Giltner’s employees.

Idaho’s Employment Security Law provides assistance for workers who face unemployment through no fault of their own. I.C. § 72-1302. Employers are obligated to pay unemployment insurance taxes based on the wages they pay to employees engaged in “covered employment.” John L. King, P.A. v. State, Dept. of Empl., 110 Idaho 312, 313, 715 P.2d 982, 983 (1986). These employer contributions finance a trust fund that supports the unemployment insurance system. Id. When interpreting social legislation, such as the Employment Security Act, “exemptions from coverage are narrowly construed.” Id.

Once it is shown that a worker received remuneration from a putative employer for performing services, that worker will be found to have been engaged in covered employment, “subject to the putative employer showing that an exemption applies.” Beale v. Dept. of Employment, 131 Idaho 37, 41, 951 P.2d 1264, 1268 (1997). “[T]he term ‘covered employment’ is an ‘expansive term’ and ‘sweeps within its purview employees and independent contractor alike.’ ” Id. (quoting Software Assoc., Inc. v. Department of Employment, 110 Idaho 315, 316, 715 P.2d 985, 986 (1986)). “[T]he status of independent contractor is not enough to avoid coverage.” King, 110 Idaho at 314, 715 P.2d at 984 (quoting Swayne v. Dept. of Employment, 93 Idaho 101, 104, 456 P.2d 268, 271 (1969)).

Excell Constr., Inc., 141 Idaho at 694, 116 P.3d at 24.

In order to merit an exemption from the presumption that services for remuneration are covered employment, the putative employer must demonstrate two things:

(a) That the worker has been and will continue to be free from control or direction in the performance of his work, both under his contract of service and in fact; and
(b) That the worker is engaged in an independently established trade, occupation, profession, or business.

I.C. § 72-1316(4). Therefore, in order to overcome the presumption of covered services, the putative employer must first demonstrate that the worker was free from employer control and then that the worker was engaged in an independently established trade, occupation or business.

As to the first prong, the putative employer must show that “the worker has been and will continue to be free from control or direction in the performance of his work, both under his contract of service and in fact[.]” I.C. § 72-1316(4)(a).

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Giltner, Inc. v. Idaho Department of Commerce & Labor
179 P.3d 1071 (Idaho Supreme Court, 2008)

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Bluebook (online)
179 P.3d 1071, 145 Idaho 415, 2008 Ida. LEXIS 38, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/giltner-inc-v-idaho-department-of-commerce-labor-idaho-2008.