Zouai v. Evans, No. 1:2014cv23936 - Document 42 (S.D. Fla. 2015)
Court Description: ORDER denying 31 Plaintiff's Motion for Summary Judgment. Signed by Judge Federico A. Moreno on 8/11/2015. (mmd)
Download PDF
<![CDATA[
Zouai v. Evans Doc. 42 UNI TED STATES DI STRI COURT FOR THE CT SO UTHERN D I STRI O F FLO RI CT DA M i m iDi son a vii C as N um be 1 23936 CI - O R EN O e r: 4- V M RYM ZOUAI , Pl ntf , ai if VS. CELI EVAN S,a i vi ua d/ a SEA STAR A n ndi d l b/ FI S, LM D e e nt f nda . / ORDER DENYI PLAI FF' M OTI FOR SUM M ARY JUDGM ENT NG NTI S ON Plitf i mo i f rs an if s vng o ummayj d me to h rF i La rS a d r Ac cams S e r u g n n e ar bo tn ads t li . h r quess t Cour fnd s wa a e pl e as a ma tr of 1w a entte t o ri e t he t i he s n m oye te a nd ild o ve tme c ompe a i Ha ng r vi we t r co d pr ded by t Pl ntf i t sc s t Cour fnds ns ton. vi e e d he e r ovi he ai if n hi a e, he ti t r a eis sofma e i f c a t whehe Pl i ifwa a e o a ast whehe t r i he e r s ue t ral a t s o t r antf s n mpl yee nd o t r he e s i vi lc r unde t Fa rLaborSt nda dsAc .Ac or ngl t Cour de esPl ntf' ndi dua ove age r he i a r t c di y,he t ni ai ifs M oton f Stm m a y J i or l r udgm e . nt THI CA USE c m ebef r t Cour u t Pl ntf' M o i n f rStmm a y J m e S a o e he t pon he ai ifs to o l r udg nt ( E.No.31,fldonM a 20. 5. D. ) ie v 201 THE COURT has c nsde e t moton,t r s o i r d he i he e pons ,and t pe tne pori nsoft e he ri nt to he r or and beng ot wi ef l ad s d i t pr m ie ,i i ec d, i her s uly vie n he e s s t s A DJU D G ED t tt m oto i D EN I . ha he in s ED Dockets.Justia.com 1 Bac . kground Pli ifsaci i f unpa dove tm ewa an r t i t ydic r undert FarLa antf ' ton s or i ri ges d ealaor s ha ge he i bor StndadsAc, U. C.jj - 1 Fr J r 201 t J y201 Pli ifRym Zoua cai a r t29 S. 2012 9. om anuay 4 o ul 4, antf i l ms s wor df De enda Ce i Eva ,doi busne sa Se St Fims Atis i t Pl ntf' he ke or f nt la ns ng i s s a ar l . s ue n he ai ifs M oton f Su mar J i or m y udgmenti whe he t Pli ifi cl sfe a a e oy unde t Ac s t r he antf s as ii d s n mpl ee r he t orwhet rs wo keda a i pe nt r ct .Pli ifalor quesst Cour fndi vi l he he r s n nde nde conta or antf s e t he ti ndi dua cov r geunde FLSA a here il ntt ove tm ec pe a i ea r nd ntteme o ri om ns ton. Pl i tf sw or a Sea St rFim sc i t ofas i tng Cela Evans a e c i pr a n if k t a l ons s ed s si i , n xe utve oduc , er on dif r tt ks. Pl ntf s De a 5. She di admi sr tve a clrc lwor i l ng fe en as ai if po. t d nita i nd e i a k nc udi o r tng t c f make ,e alng i ttons a s ndi outpr s r las s 1 a 7. She pe ai he ofee r m ii nvia i , nd e ng é s ee e . d t t tfe t ts di notha a c r o rt budge whie s wa wor ngt r 1 She esi d ha he d ve ny ontol ve he t l he s ki he e. d. wor ont lunchofawebst andwasr po i ef rupl di m ae ilonlnea s hel d ked he a ie es nsbl o oa ng tra i nd he pe pr e af hi s oduc as on how i J y 201 I a 9. Pli ift siid t ts wasne rt d s was n ul 4. d t antf e tfe ha he ve ol he bei hie a a i pe ntc r c o .1 at1 ng r d s n nde nde onta t r d 4. I tr sofhe hour wo ke Pli ift sii d t tCe i Eva t d he whe t co ei n em r s r d, antf e tfe ha la ns ol r n o m n a whe t la I a 29.Pl i ifalowor d o ri hour , chwa not don s eofhe nd n o e ve. d t antf s ke ve tme s whi s e om r pay he ks 1 Pli ifdi not k fo hom e, e ss r ue t t dos I a 31 Sheus d c c . d. a ntf d wor r m unls he eq sed o o. d t . e herown c omput ra tmes a a tmess us d he ownce l a phone.Shewa no r i btr e e t i , nd t i he e r lulr s t em zs d f c lulrphone e ns s I Pli ifa Ce i Eva e e e a or la e m e wih r pe t or el a xpe e . d a ntf nd la ns nt r d n a gr e nt t es c t he houry c o r l ompe a i of$11a hourf he frtt e m ont a t n i was$1 a hour ns ton n or r is hr e hs nd he t 2 n . I a 3 Pl i ifcai st tDef nda ove s e r a pec ofhe wor a s ha no c r d t 2. antf l m ha e nt r aw ve y s t r k nd he d ontol ove how s c r he omplt he a sgnme s I at34, eed r s i nt . d 36. l rs o dn t Plitf' mo infrs mmayj dg n lDe e d n a s rst a Pli tf n e p n ig o an ifs to o u r u me t, fn a t s et h t anif wo kedf ar sa an sm ula usy whiedoi fe a ewo k f he .I a ton,De enda r or e t ur t i t neo l l ng r elnc r or r n ddii f nt c n e d t a Plitf h d o h rfe lnc p o e t a t e tme s wa alg dy a e o e . o tn s h t an if a t e rea e rj cs t h i he s l e l n mply e e De e ntsposton i t tPli tf wasfe t c ea go ass plas c f nda ' ii s ha a n if r e o om nd he e ed, omplt t ksfom e e as r hom e, nd us he own c put ra ce l a t l phone.D ef nt sdi co r r pons i ca e a e r om e nd lul r e e enda ' s ve y es es ndi t i m ant ne no tm e c r f r Pl ntfl Exh.G,Pli ifs M o i n f r Summ a y J m e . t i ai d i a ds o ai it a ntf to o r udg nt De e nta s di notwihhol moni sfom Pl ntf' pa he ks He c kswe ef t hour f nda lo d t d e r ai ifs yc c . r hec r or he s wo ked muli i d by t hou l r e.I a 47. r tple he ry at d t I .Lez St 1 al andard Su r u g n i a to ie wh r teei n g n i is eo maeil a t F d R. mma yj d me t s uh rz d ee h r s o e une su f tra fc. e . Ci. 5 () Th pat s e n s mmayj g n b ast i ta b ld no de n taigt v P. 6 c. e ry e kig u r ud me t e r he ni l t e f mo srtn he i r absnc ofag neis ofmae ilfc .Adik sv S. Kr s & Co.398U. 1 15 ( 970) e e enui sue tra a t c e . H e s , S. 44, 7 1 . Th p ryo p igt emoin frs mmayj dg n ma n tsmp yr s u o meealg to s e a t p osn h to o u r u me t y o i l et p n r le ain o de al oft pladi ;t nonr ni s he e ngs he movi pa t mus e t bls t e s nta eeme sofisc s ng ry t sa ih he s e il l nt t ae onwhihi wilbe t bur n o pr a til Ceotx Cor v Catet477U. 31 ( 986) c t l ar he de f oof t ra. l e p. . r t, S. 7 1 ; M atu hiaElc I s Co.v Ze t Radi Cor ,475U. 574 ( 986) s s t e . ndu . . nih o p. S. 1 .Thenonmovantmus t p e e t r ta as itlao e ie c i s p o t fhen n v n 'p iin. u ymu t ea l rs n moe h n cn il f vd n e n u p r o t o mo a t ost Aj r s b be s o ras bl t fndf t nonmovan. r onv fi ryLobb l .477U. 242,254(1 6) e ona y o i or he tAnde s . be t y, nc, S. 98 . I d cdn as mmapj g n moin,heCo r mus v e t efcsi t elg tmo t a o a l n e iig u r ud me t to t u t t iw h a t n h ih s fv r be l ' Cour not st ti r pondi t t Pl i if s M oton f r Sum m a y J ' he l t e ha n es ng o he a ntf i o r udgm e , nt De e f ndan di nots i a St t me ofM ae i lFa t i opposton t t M oton f Summ a y t d ubm t a e nt tra c s n ii o he i or r J udgme a r r d by Loc Rul 56. . De e ntmer l de e t al ga i c aned i nt s equie al e 1 f nda ey ni s he le tons ont i n t Pli ifsStt m e ofM a e i lFa t .De e ntr f r t t de ii ta c i ofCe i he antf ae nt t ra c s f nda e e s o he poston r ns rpt la Eva , di notfl ac wih t Cour. ns but d ie opy t he t t t non- ovi pa t a d a a1 r as bl i e e esi t tpa t sf . o he m ng ry nd r w 1 e ona e nf r nc n ha ry' avor Davi v Wilams s . li , 4 F.d7 9 7 3( 1h Ci. 0 6 . 51 3 5 , 6 1 t r 2 0 ) 111 L eealA nal s . ysi P an ifi s e ig s mmayj d me tr q sig t eCo r tn t ts ewa ac vee litf s e kn u r u g n e uetn h u ti d ha h s o rd e pl e unde t FarLa Stnda ds Acten il t ove tme c pe a i De e nts m oye r he i bor a r tted o ri om ns ton. f nda ' poston i t tPl ntf was a i pe nt c r c o ,who pr ded fe a e wor t t ii s ha ai if n nde nde onta t r ovi r elnc k o he De e nt Pl i ifa s r que t t Cour fnd i vi lc r unde FLSA a entte e f nda . antf l o e s s he t i ndi dua ove age r nd ilm nt t ove tmec pe ai o ri om ns ton. A. Em pl ye vs I o e . ndepe ntCont t nde rac or To pr va lon he cai f avi ai ofFLSA ' ove tme pa r quie e i r l m or ol ton S ri y e r ment,t Pli if s he antf mus pr vet eeme sof( )fiu et pa o ri c t o he l nt 1 alr o y vetme ompe ai ( t e o ( co rd ns ton, 2) o mplyees 3) vee u d rteFLSA. 29U. C.j2 ()1. S l r j d me thn e o Plitf ssausa a ne h S. 07 a( ) tmmay u g n ig s n an if tt s n e oy a nota a i pende con r c orasFLSA' overi eandmi m um wa pr eci ns mpl ee nd s n nde nt ta t S tm ni ge ot to e tn o l t ç mply e , n tn e e d n c n rco s Se S a ln v Jm yKngh, nc, 21 x e d ny o s o e s' o id p n e t o ta t r. e c nt d . e e ' a i tI .7 F. 1 1 1( t Ci. ) 3d 308, 31 11h r 2013 . FLSA defnes a e oye a an Cndi duale pl d by a e oye ' a t t nn i n mpl e s t vi i m oye n mpl r' nd he e d mpo 'me n ço s fe o pemi t wo k. 2 U. C. 2 3 e () ( ) W n e tt fuf r o t ly' a s s u fr r r t o r ' 9 S. j 0 () 1, g .ç niy s fe s r e t ' pe m is ani vi lt wor i, amaterofec r t ' ndi dua o k f as t onomi r lt t i vi l sde nde o t c eaiy,he ndi dua i pe nt n he e iptAnt rv. ntt ' eno D&sFar 88F.d925, ( 1hCi.199 .Thei r f us sont lve ms, 3 929 1 t r 6) nquiy oc e he e l ofe conom i de nde c pe nce. Sc l antand,721 F. a 1 1 1 t li at l i c i rng ec no i 3d t 31 - 2. l tm e y, n ons de i u o m c de nde e,hec t oc eson whet ra i vi li çn busnes f rhi s l ori ç nde pe nc t our f us he n ndi dua s i i s o m er s depe nt upo fndi e oy nti t busne sofohe s''d ( i Mednikv Al r Entr .I . n i ng mpl me n he i s t r .'I quotng c . be t e s, nc, - 4- 5 8F.d2 7 3 -0 ( t Ci.9 5) 0 2 9 , 01 2 5h r1 7 ). Coursc i rs vealf t s s has( )de e ofcontol ( opporuniy f pr i o t onsde e r acor, uc 1 gre r , 2) t t or oft r l s ( i t nti e pme ora tonalpe s lrquied,( whehers cils lsae os, 3) nvesme n qui nt ddii ronne e r 4) t pe a kil r r uie ( du ai oft wor ngrltons p, 6 t e e t whi t s viei i egrlt eq rd, 5) r ton he ki eai hi ( ) he xtnt o ch he er c s nt a o t a l ge e pl r sbus nes .I N o s ngl f c o i de e na i I The Cour m us a s s he le d m oye ' i s d. i e a t r s t nni tve. d t t s es t f c sr e he a t elvant ot s f cor Shr t he e a t s t ough t l oft onom i de nde e' whe he t ya e t he ens ec c pe nc and t r he r mor a ogoust t ç ualpah'ofan e oye ora i pende c r t r'l e nal o he us t mpl e n nde nt ontac o .' d 1. c E onom i D e nde e f or c pe nc act : ()De r eo nr l l g e fco to Coursc nsde t na u ea de r eoft a lged e pl ye ' co r ast t m a ri t o i r he t r nd g e he le m o r s ntol o he nne n whiht wor i t bepe f med.Ge e v Gal diS. e s,l , 1 1 -C1 201 W L c he k s o ror t r . ar Entr . nc.No. 4-2 896 V, 5 2155 ,at* ( D.Fl Ma 7,201 ;Harelv.Di 721 4 S. a. y 5) r l amondA Entrai ntl ,992F.Supp. e t nme , nc. 1 1 ( . Fl 1 .Plitf tsiidt s hadltl c r overt pero ma of 343, 348 M D. a. 997) anif e tfe hat he ite ontol he fr nce hert ksf De e nt Pl i ifsDe a 34. She wa i taly hie f rapr tona y t ee as or f nda . antf po. t s nii l r d o obai z hr m on hpe i I a 32- Pl i ifwor asDe e ntCe i Evans as itntf t mos par t rod. d t 33. antf ked f nda la ' ssa or he t t pero m i c e ial nda i sr tvet ksSe Exh. Pl i ifsM oton f Su mar udgme f r ng l rc a dm nitai as . e D, antf i or m yl nt ( i fom Dee Emalr fndant C- W ilTha f rac ngout Soundsgoodltsha ame tng.My :tl l. nks or e hi li . e' ve ei a ssa i c edhee. tusknow agoodday.) ThatPli ifwasa a ssa wasas notd sitnt s opi r Le '. ' antf n s itnt lo e o temao i ofP an ifsp y h c .S eEx . Pli tf' Mo in f rS mmayJ d me . n h j rt litf' a c e ks e h E, anifs to o u r u g nt y Pl i ifas pr vi as re ofe a l fom De e antf lo o des e is m is r f ndantt tgi ve y cea die i st Pl i if ha ve r l r r ctve o antf, i l ng t t n t cofee potof daiy,t s outpr s r l a es a t m a phone c ls Se nc udi o ur he f f l o end es e e s , nd o ke al . e Exh.H,Pli tf ' M oton f r Summ a y J a n ifs i o r udgm e . l a heremai,De e nt n not l f ndante ane t xpl i d o Pli ifhow s wa ed Pl ntf t a e spot i lpa tcpant i ar alt s antf he nt ai if o ddr s enta ri i s n e iy how. e Exh.K, Se Pli ipsM oton f Summ ay J antf i or l udgme . Pl ntf a s t s ii d t i De e nta ke he t ntz ai if lo e tfe hat f f nda s d r o prntsg ,De e i i ns f ndan woul i tucthe on wha t wrt on t sg . antf De a 36. t d nsr r t o ie he i ns Pl i ifs po. t Al oft s f t we gh i f orofafndi t tPli ifwasa empl yeeasDe enda l he e ac s i n av i ng ha antf n o f nt e rie contoloverhe . antand,721F. a 1 3(q ngt tc r waso ysgniia xecsd r r Sc l 3d t 31 tndi ha ontol nl i fc nt whe an i vi le rss h contolove am e ni ulpa toft busnes t tt i vi l n ndi dua xe t uc r r a ngf r he i s ha he ndi dua sa a as paat e onomi e iy) Dee ntdoe notpr dea r c de de et rbutt tnds s e r e c c ntt . fnda s ovi ny e or vi nc o e he e ecs o c nto o e Plitf. nr s o dngt s mmayj d me t Dee d n o l g n rly x r ie f o r l v r an if l e p n i o u r u g n , fn a t n y e eal a gue t tPl i ifhad c r love t m ehod a out m e ofhe t ksne ded t co e e r s ha antf onto r he t nd co r as e o mplt D e e nt sgoa s f nda ' l. The o y a e t ei c r ve t d e de e i wih r s c t Pl i ifsholr . Pl i i f nl r a her s onto re vi nc s t e pe t o antf zs a ntf t sii s t t s wa t d whe t c e tfe ha he s ol n o ome i and la howe , Def nda ' a we s t n e ve, ver e nts ns r o i e r t re saet tnotm ec dswe eke a Pl i ifwa fe t c ea goa s plas d nt roga o i s t t ha i ar r pt nd antf s r e o om nd s he e e and wo k fo home. The Cour doesnotfnd t sr bu t evi nce s fcenty tpst c r r rm t i hi e tal de ufi i l i he ontol f t t acor owar afndi t tPl ntf wa a i pe ntc r c or Rat r asawhol t r or d i ng ha ai if s n nde nde onta t . he , e,he ec d r lc st tDe e nte redc r ov t manne t tPl i ifpe f m e herwo k muchlke efe t ha f nda xe t ontol er he r ha antf ror d r i t t ua pa h ofa em pl e.' he s l t us n oye ' 2 e lfom Cei Evanst Pli ifr ads S us s y Hi Im Rym c li fom Sea The mai r la o antf e : t t a , ' l a lng r St rFim sPr ton Companya we a ede opi ar alt s a l oduci nd r vel ng e iy how a boutweddi pl nne s. ng a r W oul you bei e ese i c i t o t sudi a bei puton c m e a. The s d nt r t d n om ng o tr t o nd ng a r how wo d ul f l awe ng pl nne and t rc e de i wih t f n and sr sofputi on e nt. W e olow ddi a r hei r w alng t he u tes tng ve s (i)woul c tt we ngs W eaepic ngt st Brvo.fyoune d mor i olc nha sc d as he ddi . r thi hi o a I e e nf a ve ourpr oduc rc lyou.' e al ' - 6- ()Op ru t o prht rls 2 po tni r o o o s yf Thi f c orco i st aleg e pl e' o s at nsder he l ed m oye s pporuniy f pr i orl sde t t or oft os pendi on t ng he e ly esma a e ils il a ta d 7 F.da 1 6( li ti fco weg e i f v ro mpo e ' n g ra kl.Sc nl n , 21 3 t 31 hodng hs a tr ih d n a o f e onomi de nde ewhe et e o s opporuniyf rpr i o l sde ndedm o eupon t c c pe nc r he mpl yee ' t t o oft r os pe r he e oye 'pr sonofwor t nont e oye s' na ra s ls.W ni vi lsabiiyt mpl rs ovii k ha he mpl e ma geil kil)ç ndi dua' lt o ea' mor bybei m or tcl cal pr i e i unr l e t ani vi lsa lt t e r orl e l n e ng e e mi ly ofcint s eatd o ndi dua ' biiy o a n os pr i vi hi mana rals l,a i doesnoti c t t theope aeshi own busnes .' d The oft a s ge i kil nd t ndi a e ha rt s i s'l r c devi nces e or de howst tPli tf swor di notr quiehe t e tma ge i ls l, pecaly ha a n if k d e r r o xer na ra kiles i l no i awa t ti tn y ha mpacedhe opporuniy f pr i o l s t r t t or oft r os . Ra he , heDe e ntpr dedt kst t Pl i ift bec plt f ane i t dhoury t rt f nda ovi as o he antf o om e ed or gota e l r t ofwor whi h wa de i d a t oute oft r l tons p.Pl ntf sr mune a i wa no ae k, c s c de t he s t he e ai hi ai if e r ton s t n g tae o r- e oitda t e c p oe t h c mpee Ad i o al, anifsa ii t e r e oitd r en g tae s o a h r jc s e o ltd. dt n ly Plitf b ly o an i t e r i ometzoug he own i ta i wa lm ie ast e l fom De e xta nc lr h r niitve s i td, he mais r f ndantpr depr ie ovi ecs t ksf rhe omplton.Thes f c swei i f voroffndi Pl i ifwa e onom ialyde as o rc ei e at gh n a i ng antf s c c l pende nt muc lket d ual t ofan e o .' h i he t us pah mplyee'Scantand,7 F. a 1317. l 21 3d t W ih u p o ii ga yrc r e ie c ,h Dee d n sae t a Pli tf ha a o h r o t o t r vd n n e o d vd n e te fn a t tts h t anif d n t e j b a arsa rn a d woke o oh rfe ln ep oe t whl wo k n f rDe e d n. Th Co r, t e tu a t n r d n te r ea c rj cs ie r i g o fn a t e u t howeve , snot i t euns r doe fnd hes upporedsaeme stpt sf t i f vorofaindi t Pli if t t t nt i hi acor n a ng hat a ntf w a a i pe ntco r ct . Rat r t Cour fnds t s f c orwei i f vorof fndi t t s n nde nde nta or he , he t i hi a t ghs n a i ng ha Pl ntf wa e onom ialy de ai if s c c l pende on De e ntm uc lket i ualpah ofa e pl ye ' nt f nda h i he s us t n m o e. ' ()l e t nti e 3 nv sme n qu+me o addii pe s lr quie nt r tonal r onne e r d The t r f c o c i r t a l ge e pl e' i s m e i e pm e o m a e i s hi d a t r ons de s he le d m oye s nve t nt n qui nt r t ral r quie f wor I ,7 F. at1 1 Pli ifsde ii t tmony r veast ts us d he e r d or k. d 21 3d 3 7. a ntf' poston esi e l ha he e r c ompu e a tm e t peror he m anl clrc lt s .Pl ntf De a 31 Alhough s tid t r t i s o f m r i y e i a a ks ai ifs po. t . t he re t us De e ntslndlne, antf t sii dt ts us dhe pe s celphonet c o e f nda ' a i Pl i if e tfe ha he e r r onal l o omm uni t cae i wor r l t d m a t r a s w a no r i bur ed f r t e e ns . f D urng one of n k- e a e te s nd he s t e m s o hos xpe es #. i De e ntsa e s De e ntc f nda ' bs nce , f nda ompli d t s wasuna e t r a h Pli ifon he cel a ne hat he bl o e c a ntf r l phone, nd sae t tDe e a t td ha f ndan woul ha m a a r nge e sf pa e oft c l phonebil t d ve de ra m nt or ym nt he e l l, s h asno t i e nl communi a i bewe De e nta Pli if SeeExh.L,Pl i ifs uc t o nt r pt c ton t en f nda nd antf . antf M oto f Summ ayJ m e . t ngs i t r i nor c de de t tDef nda r utnel i n or r udg ntTha bei ad,he e s e or vi nce ha e nt o i y pad Pli ifs c lulr pho bilt oughouthertm e wor ng f r Def nda .Coupl wih i antf e l a ne l hr i ki o e nt ed t Pli ifsad ison t ts us d he pe s lc a ntf m s i ha he e r r ona omput ra c lul rphone,t s f c s wei e nd e l a he e a t gh a i t a fndi t t Pl ntf wa e onom ialy de nde on De enda ,a aced lke a gans i ng ha ai if s c c l pe nt f nt nd t i n i pe ntco r c or nde nde nt a t . () Whehe s ci s lsar r quie 4 t r pe al kil e e r d Thef t f t c i swhe he t s r c r quied s c a s l. antand, F. ourh acor onsder t r he e vie e r pe i l kil Sc l 721 3d a 1 8.Pl n ifha s m eprore re ei t fl i usr be or wor ng f De enda a t 31 aitf d o i xpe i nc n he im nd ty f e ki or f nt nd s s he pokeFr nc whi hai dDe e ntsde i a t Ca e h, c de f nda ' alngs t he nnesFim Fe tva .M or ove , tdo l si l e r i es nota ppea t tDe e nts r ha f nda penttmetani Pli tf f he poston. Thes f c swei a i t i r i ng a n if or r ii e at gh gans a fndi of e onom i de i ng c c pende a i f vor of i pe nt c r t sa us The Co t nce nd n a nde nde ontacor tt . ur, howe r i e l tng t r c d e de tndsot r s The emaisbe wee De e nta ve , n va uai he e or vi nce i he wie. l t n f nda nd Pli if r ve t tPl i ifwas e antf e al ha antf ngag i m osl c e i a t s ,oper tng t cofe m a r ed n ty l rc l a ks a i he f e ke , s ndi ou pr s r ea es m a ng co e ,goi t t pos ofi e,s hed i a nt e s e ng t e s el s , ki pis ng o he t tc c ulng ppoi m nt , upl di i or ton t a we ie,a t lke.Pli ifs De a 35 36,Exh.H,Pl i ifs oa ng nf ma i o bst nd he i antf po. t - . antf - 8- M oinfrS mmayl d me t Emal r m Cei Ev ns oRy Zo a d tdAp i 8 201 .Th s to o u r u g n ( ifo l a t m u i ae rl , 4) e e a ts di not e r as c ai e s l s tt tPl ntf b oug t t t bl a a a ks d r quie pe i lz d kil e ha ai if r ht o he a e nd ppea t bemuch ro lket C ua pa h'of e oy TheCour fndst t hi f ct we ghsi f vorofafndi t t i he l l t ' an mpl ee. us t i ha t s a or i n a i ng ha Pl i ifwa e no i ly de nde lke a e oye a t r wa no s c a s l s t twa antf s co m ca l pe nt i n mpl e s he e s pe i l kil et ha s ne de f he poston. e d or r ii ()Du at no h wo kn r lto s l 5 r i fte r ig ea in hp o Theffhf c o c i r t deg eeof r it a t r onsde s he r pe mane ya dur i oft wo ki ea i hi nc nd aton he r ngr ltons p. Sc l 721F. a 1 8.He e Pli ifwor f rDef nda f as t rodo tm et t lng antand, 3d t 31 r , a ntf ked o e nt or hor pe i f i o ai s ve mont . The br viy of Pli ifs e pl e n hs e t antf ' m oymentcut agans a fndi t tPl ntf wa s i t i ng ha ai if s e onom ia l de nde muc lket t ua pa h'ofa e o c c ly pe nt h i he s l t ' n mplyee.l s sndi t Cour does us n o ng,he t not t tt De e ntspl e e ofPli ifonat e - ont pr tonmy pe i s e ha he f nda ' ac m nt a ntf hr e m h oba i rod ugge t t t ss ha t wor ngr lto hi wasi e he ki e ai ns p nt ndedt bel rt nPl n if sacuale m .Tha al howe r o onge ha aitf t tr t one, ve , i i ufi e t tp t balnc a t t spa tc a f t r s ns fcint o i he a e s o hi ri ulr ac o . ()Thee e t whih t s r i i i e alt t ale de o r' busne s 6 xtnt o c he e vce s ntgr o he lge mplye s i s . Thee e t whiht t kpe f r e byt a lgede oye wasi eg a t t busnes xt nt o c he as r o m d he le mpl e nt r l o he i s oft e oye i af c ori c tng e onom i de ndenc Sc l 721F. a 1 9; r l, he mpl r s a t ndia i c c pe e. antand, 3d t 31 Har el 99 F. 2 Supp. t1 a 352.Puta he wa whe t busne s sc i ton de ndsi e aly upon not r y, n he i s ' ontnuai pe ntgr l t pe f r a eofc ti wor t wo ke whope f m st twor i m or lkel t beco i r d he ro m nc era n k,he r r ror ha k s ei yo nsde e a e o e a nota i pende c r c or De e nts busne s i fl pr n mpl ye nd n nde nt onta t . f nda ' i s s im oduci a ton nd Pli ifdi nots e t ha a i t gr r ei t tr r antf d e m o ve n n e al ol n ha ega d.Thi f t c sa i tafndi t t s acor ut ga ns i ng ha pl i if was a e oye bu i doe s onl wea y as mos busnes es i eg al r quie antf n mpl e, t t s o y kl t i s nt r ly e r a i sr tvesa fha i c e i lmat r a m a ng s es hed i i donea o it l and dm nitai t f ndlng l rca te s nd ki ur c ulng s ppr pra ey - 9- doc nt a eta mit d s c s ul ume s r r ns te uc es f ly. 2. W ei lnz al t Fact eli l he ors Ta n i t lghtmos f vor bl t t De e nt,heCour ca ke n he i t a a e o he f nda 3 t t nnotfndasam a trof1w i te a o P an ifs moi nf rs mmayj d me th tP an ifwa a e ly e Th frtwofco s n litf to o u r u g n ta litf s n mp o e . e is t a t r, c r a o runiy f pr ,wegh sr y i f voroffndi t Pl i ifwasi d an ontol nd ppo t t or oft i tongl n a i ng hat antf ndee e pl ea t f ct e r ngs i lze s lsa s l ndss ppo t ot tfndi Howeve ,he m oye nd he a orr ga di pec ai d kil lo e u r t ha i ng. rt Pl i ifsus ofhe o c antf e r wn omput randcel a phone t br viy o he e oyme ,a he r e e lulr , he e t f r mpl nt nd r ol notbe ng i e a f vort De e nts poston t tPl ntf was a i pe ntcon r c or i nt gr l a he f nda ' ii ha ai if n nde nde ta t . Ac or ngl t Cour fndst r a em ae ili s off c ast whe he t Pl i ifwa i e c di y,he t i he e r tra s ues a t o t r he antf s nde d Dee d n ' e ly ea dteCo r d ne s mmayj dg n o t i is e fn a ts mpo e n h u t e is u r u me t n h s su . B.l vi ndi dualCo r unde FLSA ve age r FLSA r uie apli ift s w eihe i vi lo e e rs c rge. 29U. C.j eq rs antf o ho t r ndi dua r ntm ie ovea S. 207()1 .Pli ifsmotonr quet t Cour fndi vi coveag Fori vi c a a( ) antf i e ss he ts ndi dual r e. ndi dual overge, apl i ifmus s antf t how s wa et re age i co mer eore ged i t pr to ofgoods he s ihe ng d n m c nga n he oduc i n f r com m e c M en z v.D i c o r e. do a s ount C. : Joi Rac drPi on,N o. 1 24081 CI ,201 W L P nt k ni 3- V 5 181 96,t2( D. a. i21 201 (ii Thor vAlRe t atonSe v .I , F. 1 4 05 a S. Fl Aprl , 5) ctng ne . l sor i r s,nc.448 3d 26 ( 1hCi. 1 t r 2006).Thebur nofpr le ont e oye t e tbls t tt yweee age i ) de oof is he mpl es o sa ih ha he r ng d n i e sat commer e,or i t pr uci ofgoods a t s h pr uc i wa f i ert t ntr t e c n he od ton , nd hat uc od ton s or nt sa e c omm e c 1 r e. d. The t s t de e mi whe he a e pl e i enga d i comm e c Ss notwhehe t e t o t r ne t r n m oye s ge n re i i t r he 3 hiet Cour c a c t Pli ifsunc r re sa e e off t as W l he t an c ept he antf ontove td t t m nt ac s t s e ba e on t De e ntsf itr t co y wih Loc lRul 56. ,t ef c smus mdiput d s d he f nda ' alle o mpl t a e 1 hos a t t at l s cualy uppo t hem ova ' l ga poston. rt nts e l ii e oy e' a tvii a f c ori r c l r a et i ert t co mer ebutwhe he t yar a t ly mpl e s c i tes fe t ndie ty elt o nt sa e m c t r he e c ual i ors cl el r ae t t move ntoft c n o os y eltd o he me he ommec ast beapatofi. I ( i Mc e re o r t' d quotng L od ' v Thr k l 31 U. 491 497( 943).I t Elvent Cicui,t becovee unde t FLSA, . ele4 9 S. , 1 ) n he e h r t o rd r he Pl ntf m us be ç r cty pari pa i i t a t lm ove e of pe s or t ngs i i e s a e ai i f t k e l di tci tng n he c ua m nt r ons hi n nt r t t c ommece'l ( i Tho ne 448F. a 1 . pa tci tonmus beias tnta pa t r .'d quotng r , 3d t 266) That ri pai t ç ubsa il r o g anif )wok'i o d rf ra F A pli ift s c e su l iv k i dv d a c v rg .d f plitf s r 'n r e o n LS ant o u c sf ly n o e n ii u l o ea e l f ( tng Walig v.Jac s lePa rCo. 31 U. 564,572 ( 943) ( di t ti viua quoi ln k onvil pe , 7 S. 1 ) hol ng ha ndi d l c v r g i etb ihe çifas b tn il a to a e o e ' a tv t sr ltd t g d wh e o ea e s sa ls d s l u sa ta p r f n mply es ciii eae o oo s os l e m ove e i t c nnesofi e sa eco e c wase t bls dby t t tweha de c i d, m nt n he ha l nt rt t mm r e sa ihe he es ve s rbe he ce' s i r c i c v r d b t e ( A)'.Un e t F A,t s o ee y h FLS ' ) d r he LS komm er ' i defned as tade, comm er e, t a pora i t a m i son, c m uni ton am ong t s ver lSt t s orbe w e n a St t a r ns t ton, r ns s i or om ca i he e a a e t e ny a e nd a yplc o tiet ro .2 U. C. 2 3 b . n a e u sd hee f 9 S. j 0 ( ) Pl i ifat c sapr s r e ei s antf ta he e s elas n uppor of rm otont tdes rbe De e ntsbusne s t he i ha c i s f nda ' i s asonet tfl sa oundt Unie St t saswe la i er tona l Se Exh. , antf sM o i ha im r he td a e l s nt na i ly. e M Pl i if ton f Su r J or mmay udgme 'Pli ifsDe a 24-26 (esiyng t tDefnda had de lngsi nt antf , po. t t tfi ha e nt ai n Calf a,Ne Yor Ha i a Ne Ha hie . Defnda alo die td Pli ift cal iomi w k, wai nd w mps r ) e nt s r ce antf o l eontc sa t Ca sFim Fe tva r ar ngDe enda ' fl .SeeExh. Pl i ifsM o i n f a t t he nne l si l eg di f nts im N, antf to or Summ a y J r udgme . t nt Alhough t sr cor e de e fr l esa ihe De enda ' busne swa hi e d vi nc im y t bls s f nts i s s e ge i i e sae a i e a i nga d n nt r t t nd nt m tonalc omm e c t Co ttndst e i a is off c a t r e, he ur i her s n s ue a t s o whe he Pli tf spa tcpai i i e sa ec me cec tt e ads tnta pa t' Pl ntf s t r a n if rii ton n nt r tt om r onsiut d tubsa i l r'of ai if wo k.Ac o digy teCo r d nisPlitf smoinf rs mma yj d me ts e igteCo r r c r n l,h u t e e anif to o u r u g n e kn h u t fnd i vi c r geunde FLSA.Ha ng f und a is off ta t whe he t Pl n ifi i ndi dual ove a r vi o n s ue ac s o t r he aitf s c r d b FLSA,t Cour ne d notr ac t is ofwhe he Pli tf i e ild t ove tme ove e y he t e e h he s ue t r a n if s ntte o ri c mp n ainu d rteat o e sto n e h c. P DONE AN D ORDERED i Cha r a M im i Fl i t s . da ofAugus, 5. n mbe s t a , orda, hi y t 201 z< . .. x.' ' .A . r g. f . . . z oo . -. M FE RI A . ' N O CO UNI TED STATES DI STRI J CT UDGE Copi pr dedt es ovi o: Couns lofRe r e co d
]]>
Some case metadata and case summaries were written with the help of AI, which can produce inaccuracies. You
should read the full case before relying on it for legal research purposes.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google
Privacy Policy and
Terms of Service apply.
