Employment Law Case of the Week
On April 22, 2026, the First Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that in order for a court to determine whether an employment relationship exists, it must look to the "economic reality" of the totality of the circumstances bearing on whether the putative employee is economically dependent on the alleged employer. In doing so, it must consider whether the alleged employer (1) had the power to hire and fire the employees; (2) supervised and controlled employee work schedules or conditions of employment; (3) determined the rate and method of payment; and (4) maintained employment records. Perez v. FEMA, __ F.4th __ (1st Cir. 2026)
Updated on April 24, 2026
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