BRAND AMBASSADOR NOT AN EMPLOYEE.

The Third Department determined a brand ambassador was not an employee of Attack, a marketing outfit that hired ambassadors to promote particular products at events:

Here, the record evidence reflects that Attack retained little or no control over the means or results of the work performed by claimant and the other brand ambassadors. Although Attack required claimant to fill out a profile page and provide certain personal information and work experience, Attack did not interview or audition claimant, nor did it conduct a background check. Significantly, pursuant to the written agreement that claimant executed with Attack, the rate of pay of compensation, as well as the nature and duration of the services that claimant would provide, were dictated by the clients and not Attack. Similarly, Attack did not provide any training, supervision or materials and did not establish claimant’s work schedule. Nor did Attack provide claimant with any benefits, and claimant was not paid until the client paid Attack. Although claimant could not directly solicit work from Attack’s clients, he was also free to work as a brand ambassador for other companies. Matter of Burgess (Commissioner of Labor), 2016 NY Slip Op 08410, 3rd Dept 12-15-16

UNEMPLOYMENT INSUREANCE (BRAND AMBASSADOR NOT AN EMPLOYEE)/BRAND AMBASSADOR (UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE, BRAND AMBASSADOR NOT AN EMPLOYEE)