Curry v. Equilon Enterprises, LLC ( 2018 )

Filed 4/26/18
CERTIFIED FOR PUBLICATION
IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
FOURTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
DIVISION TWO
SADIE M. CURRY,
Plaintiff and Appellant, E065764
v. (Super.Ct.No. RIC10014774)
EQUILON ENTERPRISES, LLC, OPINION
Defendant and Respondent.
APPEAL from the Superior Court of Riverside County. Sharon J. Waters, Judge.
Affirmed.
Samuel T. Rees for Plaintiff and Appellant.
Reed Smith, Raymond A. Cardozo and Remy Joseph Kessler for Defendant and
Respondent.
Plaintiff and appellant Sadie M. Curry brought a class action case against
defendant and respondent Equilon Enterprises, LLC, doing business as Shell Oil
Products US (Shell). Curry’s causes of action included (1) failure to pay overtime
compensation; (2) failure to pay for missed break periods; and (3) unfair business
practices (Bus. & Prof. Code, § 17200). The trial court found Shell was not Curry’s
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employer and therefore granted Shell’s motion for summary judgment. Curry contends
the trial court erred in its finding and by granting summary judgment. We affirm the
judgment.
FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
A. BACKGROUND
Prior to May 2003, Shell owned approximately 365 service stations in California.
Shell operated some of the stations itself, with its own employees. Prior to May 2003,
Shell changed its business model. Shell no longer operated its own service stations with
its own employees. Instead, Shell offered leases and operating agreements to entities
that sought to run Shell’s service stations. The leases provided that the operators/lessees
(Operators) had a lease interest in the service stations’ convenience stores and car wash
facilities. Operators retained all the profits from the convenience stores and car wash
facilities.
The operating agreements were known as “Multi-Site Contractor Operated Retail
Outlet Agreements” (MSO Contract). Under the MSO Contract, Operators operated the
stations’ fuel facilities for Shell in exchange for compensation from Shell.1 Shell
owned the gasoline that was sold to customers. Shell received all the revenue from the
fuel sales. Shell unilaterally set the fuel prices. Operators were required to complete
daily gasoline price surveys from competing gas stations, submit that information to
1
The parties stipulated that the MSO contract was not a franchise agreement.
(15 U.S.C.A. § 2801; Bus. & Prof. Code, § 20999.)
2
Shell, and then change the fuel prices as directed by Shell. Shell reimbursed Operators
for the labor expenses associated with operating the fuel portion of the service station.
In addition to the daily price surveys, Shell required Operators to perform
various tasks for the purposes of maintenance, safety, accounting, and maintaining
Shell’s brand standards. The tasks were set forth in the “MSO Site Operations Manual,”
which was produced by Shell. Although Shell required Operators to conduct certain
tasks, “operator[s] always maintained control over the daily work of [their] own
employees.”
Some of the tasks that were required included: (1) daily inventory reconciliation
of fuel—tracking the amount of fuel stored in Shell’s tanks against the amount of fuel
sold to customers; (2) routine maintenance of the car wash performed by certified
technicians; (3) maintaining a file of station records, such as sales reports, any credit
card imprints, and recorded “drive-offs”/non-payments; (4) on a daily basis,
transmitting a report of fuel sales and credit card data; and (5) on a monthly basis,
transmitting a report of convenience store and car wash sales.
One clause in the MSO Contract provided, “Operator has the right to select, hire,
and discharge such employees, provided, however, Operator shall remove any such
employee promptly upon [Shell’s] request for good cause shown. [Shell] shall not
select, hire, discharge, supervise or instruct any of Operator’s employees.” Another
clause in the MSO Contract provided, “[Shell], its agents, and representatives may enter
any [station], at all reasonable times, to inspect the facilities, procedures, and material
being used in the sale of the Motor Fuel Products or other products, to obtain samples of
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and conduct tests on the Motor Fuel Products, to inspect the Records, and to audit,
observe, and otherwise verify Operator’s compliance with this Agreement.”
Shell also provided Operators with an “Enhanced Customer Value Proposition
Reference Guide” (CVP Guide). The CVP Guide was designed to help Operators meet
Shell’s brand standards by recommending certain tasks and frequencies for the
performance of the tasks. Some examples: (1) fuel price signs should be clean and
unobstructed, therefore signs should be inspected daily; (2) landscaping should be well
maintained without weeds or garbage, therefore weeds should be pulled on a weekly
basis and litter should be collected at least once a shift; and (3) the air and water
machine should function properly, therefore, at the start of each shift, the machine
should be inspected. The CVP Guide explained that because the Operators’ stations are
independent businesses, different methods or frequencies may be used than those
recommended by Shell.
Shell also provided Operators with a “Retail Service Station Health, Safety and
Environmental Reference Manual” (HSE Reference). The HSE Reference “contains
summary information about various Federal health, safety and environmental laws and
regulations.” It also contains information about how to deter robberies.
From May 2001 to March 5, 2003, Curry was employed directly by Shell and
worked at a station in Menifee. In March 2003, Curry began working at a gas station
operated by Circle K Stores, Inc., which was not affiliated with Shell.
A.R.S., a limited liability company (ARS) had an MSO Contract and leases with
Shell. “ARS operated approximately 15 gas stations throughout San Diego County and
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employed over 100 people at those stations.” One of ARS’s stations was the Via
Rancho station. Another of ARS’s stations was the Carmel Mountain station. The Via
Rancho station and the Carmel Mountain station each had a convenience store and a car
wash. Both stations had copies of the MSO Site Operations Manual, the CVP Guide,
and the HSE Reference.
In July 2003, Curry met with an ARS employee who recruited Curry to manage
the Via Rancho station in exchange for a $32,000 annual salary. Curry completed an
ARS employment application, and then signed ARS’s offer of employment. Curry was
not required to read the MSO Site Operations Manual, CVP Guide, or HSE Reference.
ARS assigned Curry’s job duties. Curry reported to ARS employees. Curry was
trained by ARS employees. The cashiers supervised by Curry were ARS employees. In
April 2004, Curry “was promoted by ARS to multi-site manager and at that time
became manager of [a second station,] the Carmel Mountain Station.” The cashiers
Curry supervised at the Carmel Mountain Station were ARS employees.
Curry prepared daily reports for ARS. “Curry was instructed by ARS to conduct
gas surveys and to transmit on a daily basis . . . the information/results to ARS.” When
Shell inspected the two stations Curry managed, if Curry was present then she walked
around the station with the inspector. Inspections occurred three to four times a year.
“ARS alone determined that Curry would be deemed an exempt employee, at
which station(s) Curry would work, when she would work and what compensation and
health and welfare benefits she should receive. ARS also undertook responsibility for
paying Curry.” “ARS alone made all hiring, disciplinary and promotional decisions
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with respect to Curry.” “ARS alone approved salary increases for Curry.” “ARS alone
set discipline guidelines for its own employees, including Curry.” “ARS alone
determined what duties Curry should perform based on operational demands . . . . ARS
alone also determined when Curry could take personal time off from work, when she
could take vacations and when she could make up work time she missed.” “[Shell]
never directed ARS to recruit, interview, hire, or promote any specific ARS employee.”
Under the MSO Contract, the stations were required to be open 24 hours a day,
seven days a week. The stations could not close for employee break periods. The Via
Rancho and Carmel Mountain stations operated on a schedule of three eight-hour shifts.
At least one cashier was scheduled to work along with Curry during an eight-hour shift.
“During her employment with ARS, Curry testified that she routinely worked more than
40 hours in a work week and was never paid overtime; did not take a 30 minute off-duty
meal break each day she worked more than 5 hours and while a cashier was also
working and was not paid any compensation for a missed meal break; and did not take a
10 minute off-duty rest break each day she worked more than 3.5 hours and was not
paid any compensation for a missed rest break.”
B. SECOND AMENDED COMPLAINT
Curry brought three causes of action in her Second Amended Complaint:
(1) failure to pay overtime compensation; (2) failure to pay for missed break periods;
and (3) unfair business practices (Bus. & Prof. Code, § 17200). The case was brought
on behalf of Curry and all other persons similarly employed “at third party operated
service stations located in the State of California, which stations on or after March 1,
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2003 or the date the station was converted to a multi-site operated station sold motor
fuel products owned at the time of sale to the public by Shell . . . and were operated by
third party multi-site operators, including A.R.S.”
Curry asserted she was misclassified as an exempt employee. Curry complained
of (1) being denied overtime wages for periods when she worked more than eight hours
a day or more than 40 hours a week; and (2) being denied meal and rest breaks without
additional compensation. Curry sought unpaid wages, statutory penalties, interest,
attorneys’ fees, costs, restitution, an injunction, and any other proper relief.
Curry alleged Shell was her joint employer, along with ARS. Curry asserted
Operators operated the fuel portion of the service stations for Shell’s benefit and Shell
reimbursed Operators for the labor expenses associated with operating the fuel portion
of the business. Curry alleged “Shell both directly and indirectly controlled the wages,
hours or working condition[s] of these employees through, among other ways, common
contractual requirements of duties and tasks to be performed by station employees, the
right to demand that specific employees be terminated, common Employer Compliance
Program requirements, common training of operators, common manuals including a site
operations manual, the . . . CVP Guide, the [HSE Reference,] and other manuals dealing
with the fuel side of the business which the operators and station employees were
required to follow pursuant to the common contracts and periodic inspections of the
stations by Shell employees or other Shell contractors.
“In addition, Shell also entered into a lease with each operator, including ARS,
for a portion of the station property, normally the convenience store and any car wash
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on the property. . . . Notwithstanding these leases, Shell both directly and indirectly
controlled the wages, hours, or working condition[s] of the employees working at these
stations through, among other ways, interrelated contractual requirements in the
operating contracts regarding duties and tasks to be performed by station employees and
the right to demand that specific employees be terminated, common training of
operators, common manuals including a site operations manual, the . . . CVP Guide
which included requirements for the leased portion of the property, the [HSE
Reference,] and other manuals dealing with the fuel side of the business and periodic
inspections of the stations by Shell employees or other Shell contractors.
“In addition, Shell indirectly controlled wages at the stations through its
unilateral setting of contract payments. Shell further has indirectly controlled working
conditions at the stations through its common contracts and in mandating that the
operators keep their stations open and staffed 24 hours a day, every day of the year . . . .
Shell has also permitted or caused station employees to suffer the requirement that
stations not be closed to permit employees who are working alone to close their station
to take ‘off-duty’ meal or rest breaks. The combination of the Shell unilaterally set
contract payments and the 24/7 Requirement has caused its operators to misclassify
station employees as exempt to require that they work more than 8 hours in a workday
and/more than 40 hours in a work week in order to reduce labor costs and make a profit
and has caused its operators to deny off-duty meal and rest breaks to employees
working alone. As a result of the foregoing, Shell is the joint employer of the
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employees working at these stations while operated by these third party operators,
including ARS.”
C. MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT
Shell moved for summary judgment. Shell asserted Curry was not employed by
Shell and therefore her case against Shell failed. Shell contended it had a business
relationship with ARS while Curry worked for ARS, but ARS alone “managed and
controlled every aspect of its employment relationship with its gas station employees
such as Curry. For example, ARS made all recruiting, interviewing, hiring, disciplinary,
promotional and termination decisions with respect to its own employees. ARS
implemented its own personnel policies and procedures for its own employees. ARS
determined exclusively the terms and conditions of the employment of its employees,
including how much to pay them and what benefits, if any, to provide them. ARS also
determined what duties should be performed by its own employees based on operational
demands and requirements. Moreover, ARS maintained exclusive control over all
payroll, human resources and record keeping functions. ARS also controlled the
manner and means by which work was performed by its employees at the stations and it
controlled the day-to-day operations of its stations.” Shell asserted its requirement that
ARS maintain Shell’s brand image did not cause Shell to become Curry’s employer.
D. OPPOSITION
Curry opposed Shell’s motion for summary judgment. Curry asserted there were
two independent businesses at the service stations: (1) a convenience store and car
wash business owned by ARS, and (2) a fuel business owned by Shell. Curry
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contended the fuel business was the primary business. Curry asserted Shell, through
ARS, exercised control over her wages, hours, and working conditions. Shell’s control
was established through the MSO contract, the MSO Site Operations Manual, the CVP
Guide, the HSE Reference, accounting equipment and requirements, and periodic
inspections.
Curry asserted “that upon recognition of the fact that [Shell] operates a separate
business of selling motor fuel to the public for solely its own economic benefit and upon
recognition of the fact that [Shell] mandates how that business will be operated
primarily by service station employees, it is clear that a reasonable jury could find that
[Shell] was the joint employer of those service station employees.”
E. HEARING
The trial court held a hearing on Shell’s motion for summary judgment. Curry
argued that ARS received no revenue from the fuel sales, so it was effectively Shell that
was directing station employees to conduct fuel pricing surveys. Curry argued, “So
Shell is the one that’s telling the station employees, ‘You must go out and perform the
gas surveys.’ Shell is the one who wants to make sure that the motor fuel is put into the
tanks. Who’s responsible for overseeing that? The station employees. What equipment
is being used? Is it any of our equipment? No, ARS doesn’t even have a right to where
the equipment is. The yard, the pumps, the canopy piece, the underground tanks all
belong 100 percent to [Shell].
“So [Shell] says, I need a warm body there to make sure we get the [fuel]
deliveries, that the deliveries go into the tank, and then I need to have the warm body
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get the invoice from the fuel truck, and put it in their financial reports, that under the
MSO site operations manual has to be transmitted to [Shell] on a daily basis together
with all the cash receipts.
“Now, how does the station employee figure out what all the cash receipts and all
this other information is? They use Shell-owned equipment. You’ve got these—and
I’m sure you’ve seen them. You walk into the station, and you have your little Snickers
bar, and you walk up to the cash register, they scan the bar code [sic], [which] goes
directly into the computer, which directly communicates with Shell.”
Shell argued, “ARS makes the determinations as to how to comply with these
agreements. [Shell] did not tell ARS how many employees to put in its stations. It
didn’t say when these employees were supposed to work, how these employees were
supposed to work. ARS had its own supervisory chain of command telling its own
employees, when, how, and where to do the work.”
Shell continued, “[E]ven though those manuals are there [in the stations], and in
fact one of the stipulated facts is that Curry admits she never read the manuals. So how
can [Shell] be exercising the control over Curry if Curry wasn’t required to read the
manuals? And the reason why she wasn’t required to read the manuals is because ARS
was responsible for complying with its contracts and what was in the manuals and
directing its employees as to what to do. [¶] . . . [¶] The gas surveys, for instance, that
[Curry] brought up. There was no requirement under any contract that the surveys be
done by a station employee. ARS could assign a manager to go out there—meaning an
office manager or a secretary to go out and do gas surveys if it chose to do so.”
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Shell argued, “Again, [Curry] kept referring to the fact that Shell is telling the
ARS employees what to do. There’s no evidence of that. Shell is not telling Ms. Curry
anything to do. Shell has contractual obligations with ARS that ARS is obligated to
follow, and the contract, as I said before, specifically states between the parties that
ARS at all times maintains operational control and it makes the decision as to how the
contract is going to be complied with.”
The trial court took the matter under submission. In a written ruling, the trial
court found Shell “was not Curry’s employer, either solely or jointly” and therefore her
causes of action failed. The trial court explained, “[Shell] did not determine Curry’s
compensation, did not pay the work she performed and did not handle tax reporting.
[Shell] did not determine what employment benefits Curry would receive. [Shell] did
not set employment policies for ARS employees. [Shell] did not make disciplinary
decisions, including termination decisions, involving ARS employees. [Shell] did not
tell Curry where to work or what duties to perform. In addition, neither the terms of the
MSO contract, the MSO lease, the operational manuals and training provided by [Shell]
nor the periodic gas station inspections performed by [Shell] support Curry’s
employment theory.” The trial court issued an order granting Shell’s motion for
summary judgment.
DISCUSSION
A. STANDARD OF REVIEW
“A defendant moving for summary judgment . . . ‘bears the burden of persuasion
that there is no triable issue of material fact and that [the defendant] is entitled to
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judgment as a matter of law.’ [Citation.] To meet this burden, the defendant must show
one or more elements of the cause of action cannot be established, or that there is a
complete defense to that cause of action. [Citation.] This burden can be met by relying
on the opposing party’s factually inadequate discovery responses if these responses
show the plaintiff ‘will be unable to prove its case by any means.’ [Citations.] A
defendant seeking to prevail on this ground must make an affirmative showing that the
plaintiff does not possess, and cannot reasonably obtain, evidence to prove his or her
case.
“If the defendant does not present sufficient evidence to meet its initial burden,
the court must deny the motion. [Citation.] But if the defendant satisfies its burden,
‘ “the burden shifts to the plaintiff . . . to show that a triable issue of one or more
material facts exists as to that cause of action or a defense thereto.” ’ [Citation.] The
plaintiff must present admissible evidence to establish a triable issue of fact. [Citation.]
An ‘issue of fact . . . is not created by “speculation, conjecture, imagination or guess
work.” ’ ” (Silva v. See’s Candy Shops, Inc. (2016) 7 Cal.App.5th 235, 246.)
We apply the de novo standard of review. (Silva v. See’s Candy Shops, Inc.,
supra, 7 Cal.App.5th at p. 246.) “In evaluating the record, we strictly scrutinize the
moving party’s papers and resolve all doubts in the opposing party’s favor.” (Id. at p.
247.)
B. LAW
The Industrial Welfare Commission (IWC) “is empowered to promulgate
regulations known as ‘wage orders’ governing wages, hours, and working conditions in
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the State of California. [Citation.] Currently, there are 16 effective wage orders, most
of which cover specific industries. [Citations.] The terms of IWC wage orders are
accorded great deference by California courts.” (Aleman v. AirTouch Cellular (2012)
209 Cal. App. 4th 556, 567-568.)
The IWC wage order cited in all three of Curry’s causes of action is Order No. 7-
2001 (Wage Order No. 7). (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 8, § 11070.) Wage Order No. 7
concerns the mercantile industry, which means a business “operated for the purpose of
purchasing, selling, or distributing goods or commodities.” (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 8,
§ 11070, subd. (2)(H).)
Wage Order No. 7 provides that work in excess of eight hours a day or in excess
of 40 hours a week must be compensated as overtime. (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 8, § 11070,
subd. (3)(A)(1).) Wage Order No. 7 requires a minimum 30 minute meal break for
shifts longer than five hours, and a 10 minute rest break a four hour period worked.
(Cal. Code Regs., tit. 8, § 11070, subds. (11)&(12).) The breaks and overtime
compensation are to be provided to employees by employers. (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 8,
§ 11070, subds. (3), (11) & (12); Martinez v. Combs (2010) 49 Cal. 4th 35, 49
(Martinez) [“only an employer can be liable”].)
Wage Order No. 7 defines “Employer” as a person or business “who directly or
indirectly, or through an agent or any other person, employs or exercises control over
the wages, hours, or working conditions of any person.” (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 8,
§ 11070, subd. (2)(F).) An “Employee” is defined as “any person employed by an
employer.” (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 8, § 11070, subd. (2)(E).) “Employ” is defined as
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“engag[ing], suffer[ing], or permit[ting] to work.” (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 8, § 11070,
subd. (2)(D).)
In Martinez, our Supreme Court examined “the question of how employment
should be defined.” (Martinez, supra, 49 Cal.4th at p. 50.) The high court concluded
“the IWC’s wage orders do generally define the employment relationship, and thus who
may be liable.” (Id. at p. 52.) The high court held, “To employ, then, under the IWC’s
definition, has three alternative definitions. It means: (a) to exercise control over the
wages, hours, or working conditions[, which is taken from the IWC definition of
“employer”], or (b) to suffer or permit to work[, which is taken from the IWC definition
of “employ”], or (c) to engage,” which is taken from the IWC definition of “employ.”
(Id. at p. 64.)
C. DEFINITION NO. 1: WAGES, HOURS, OR CONDITIONS
We examine whether there is a triable issue of fact as to Shell being Curry’s
employer due to Shell “exercise[ing] control over [Curry’s] wages, hours, or working
conditions.” (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 8, § 11070, subd. (2)(F); Martinez, supra, 49 Cal.4th
at p. 64.)
The undisputed facts reflect:
(1) “The MSO operator was responsible for hiring, firing, disciplining, training,
compensating and maintaining payroll records for all employees working at the station”
(italics added);
(2) “[Shell] was aware that many of the specified maintenance responsibilities
for the stations would be performed by MSO employees working at the stations
15
although the MSO operator maintained the right and ability to assign any employee to
perform such duties” (italics added);
(3) “Under the MSO Contract and in order to maintain Shell[’s] brand standards,
as well as for maintenance, health, safety, environmental and/or accounting purposes,
the MSO operator was required to follow and ensure that its employees followed the
procedures, perform the responsibilities and provide the reports set forth in the MSO
Site Operations Manual, although the MSO operator always maintained control over the
daily work of its own employees” (italics added);
(4) “ARS alone determined that Curry would be deemed an exempt employee, at
which station(s) Curry would work, when she would work and what compensation and
health and welfare benefits she should receive”;
(5) “Any bonus paid to Curry while she was employed by ARS, however, was
solely at the discretion of ARS”;
(6) “During her employment with ARS, Curry received medical benefits from
ARS and she received no employment benefits from [Shell]”;
(7) “ARS alone made all hiring, disciplinary and promotional decisions with
respect to Curry”;
(8) “ARS alone approved salary increases for Curry after she was employed in
August 2003”;
(9) “Curry discussed any questions she had regarding her pay and her bonus
payments only with her [ARS] Superiors”
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(10) ARS alone set discipline guidelines for its own employees, including
Curry”; and
(11) “ARS alone determined what duties Curry should perform based on
operational demands, requirements of her station(s) and requirements imposed by the
MSO Contract and MSO Lease. ARS alone also determined when Curry could take
personal time off from work, when she could take vacations and when she could make
up work time she missed.”
In regard to wages and hours, ARS “was responsible for hiring, firing,
disciplining, training, and compensating” Curry. This undisputed fact shows that ARS
was responsible for Curry’s wage. “ARS alone determined that Curry would be deemed
an exempt employee, at which station(s) Curry would work, when she would work and
what compensation and health and welfare benefits she should receive.” This
undisputed fact shows that ARS was responsible for the hours Curry worked and the
wage she received. “ARS alone also determined when Curry could take personal time
off from work, when she could take vacations and when she could make up work time
she missed.” This undisputed facts reflects ARS was responsible for determining
Curry’s work schedule. In sum, ARS had control over Curry’s wages and hours.
In regard to Curry’s working conditions, ARS “maintained the right and ability
to assign any employee” to perform tasks. In other words, Shell could not direct Curry
to perform a particular task, only ARS could do that. Further, ARS “maintained control
over the daily work of its own employees.” Thus, the tasks Curry was made to perform,
and the conditions in which she performed them, were not controlled by Shell—they
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were controlled by ARS. Accordingly, Shell has met its burden of establishing there is
not a triable issue of fact concerning Shell being Curry’s employer under the “wages,
hours, or conditions” definition of employer.
The burden now shifts to Curry to establish there is a triable issue of fact
concerning Shell being Curry’s employer. Curry asserts the MSO Contract, the MSO
Site Operations Manual, and the HSE Reference detail the tasks that Curry had to
perform on a daily basis. Curry asserts, “The MSO Contract mandates that ARS must
‘ensure’ that its employees perform specific tasks. In order to comply with this
mandate, ARS directed Curry to perform many of those tasks because she was the on-
site manager with only one cashier on duty with her.” (Italics added.)
The flaw in Curry’s argument lies in the phrase “ARS directed Curry.” We are
examining whether Shell exercised control over Curry’s wages, hours, or working
conditions. Curry’s argument reflects Shell exercised control over ARS, and, in turn,
ARS exercised control over Curry, but Curry has not explained how Shell exercised
control over Curry’s wages, hours, or working conditions. Shell required particular
tasks be performed by ARS, but did not mandate who or how many employees execute
the tasks. For example, if Curry worked four hours a day, took her required 10 minute
rest break, and a different ARS employee conducted the various tasks Shell required of
ARS, there is nothing indicating Shell would have any input on that situation. There is
not a triable issue of fact on the issue of Shell controlling Curry’s working conditions.
Next, Curry contends Shell controlled her hours because Shell required the gas
station to be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and required various tasks be
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performed on a daily basis, thus, Curry could not take her required breaks and had to
work overtime. Curry fails to explain how Shell exercised control over Curry, as
opposed to ARS. As explained ante, if ARS staffed the gas station with five employees
a shift, such that the various required tasks were completed by a variety of people, there
is no evidence indicating Shell would have been authorized to change such an
arrangement. In other words, Shell did not mandate that Curry perform the tasks;
rather, Shell required that ARS complete the tasks, and ARS placed the burden on
Curry. Thus, there is not a triable issue of fact on the issue of Shell controlling Curry’s
hours.
Next, Curry asserts there is a triable issue of fact as to whether Shell controlled
Curry’s wages. Curry points to evidence that Shell was required to reimburse ARS for
the reasonable expenses related to ARS employees maintaining the fueling station.
Shell unilaterally determined what amount was reasonable. This evidence does not
reflect that Curry’s wages were affected by the reimbursement. For example, it does not
reflect Curry was paid less for a shift if the reimbursement amount was lower than ARS
expected. Because Curry has not shown her wages were affected by Shell’s
reimbursement decisions, Curry has failed to show there is a triable issue of fact
concerning Shell controlling Curry’s wages.
Accordingly, we conclude Curry’s causes of action fail under the “wages, hours,
or conditions” definition of employer.
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D. SUFFER OR PERMIT TO WORK
We examine whether there is a triable issue of fact as to Shell being Curry’s
employer due to Shell suffering Curry or permitting Curry to work. (Cal. Code Regs.,
tit. 8, § 11070, subd. (2)(D); Martinez, supra, 49 Cal.4th at p. 64.) The language
concerning an employer suffering or permitting a person to work was derived from a
desire to prevent evasion from liability by a claim that a person was not employed in a
traditional master/servant relationship. (Martinez, at p. 58.) The language arose from
child labor laws. For example, children under age 14 were not permitted to work.
Nevertheless, coal miners paid a boy to carry water for them and the boy sustained
injuries while working. The boy was not employed in a traditional sense by the mining
company, but the mining company permitted or suffered the boy’s work. (Id. at p. 58,
citing Purtell v. Philadelphia & Reading Coal & Iron Co. (1912) 256 Ill. 110, 111,
117.) This definition has been interpreted to mean “the employer ‘shall not . . . permit
by acquiescence, nor suffer by a failure to hinder.’ ” (Martinez, at p. 58, italics
omitted.) Put differently, “the basis of liability is the defendant’s knowledge of and
failure to prevent the work from occurring.” (Id. at p. 69, italics omitted.)
Accordingly, we examine if Shell met its burden of establishing there is no
triable issue of fact as to whether Shell permitted or suffered Curry’s work at the station.
The undisputed facts reflect, (1) “The MSO operator was responsible for hiring, firing,
disciplining, training, compensating and maintaining payroll records for all employees
working at the station”; and (2) “the MSO operator always maintained control over the
daily work of its own employees.” (Italics added.)
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The undisputed evidence reflects Curry’s hiring, firing, and daily tasks were
ARS’s responsibility. Thus, Shell did not acquiesce to Curry’s employment because
Shell was not in a position to terminate Curry or hire a different person to perform the
tasks Curry performed. In other words, Shell had no role to play—it could not hire
Curry or terminate Curry’s employment. Thus, Shell could not acquiesce to Curry’s
employment.
In regard to suffering by a failure to hinder, Shell had the authority to have Curry
removed from the station upon “good cause shown.” There is no evidence indicating
what Shell may have cited as good cause for physically removing Curry from the station
so as to prevent her from working her regularly scheduled shifts. Because the “good
cause shown” clause was not triggered, Shell could not have Curry physically removed
from the station. Thus, Shell did not have the ability to hinder Curry’s work and, in
turn, could not have failed to hinder Curry’s work. In sum, Shell has met its burden of
establishing there is not a triable issue of fact concerning Shell being Curry’s employer
based on the definition of suffering or permitting Curry to work.
We now examine whether Curry has met her burden of establishing there is a
triable issue of material fact. Curry asserts “Shell caused her to suffer the non-payment
of overtime by failing to ‘hinder’ ARS.” Suffering concerns the alleged employer’s
failure to hinder the alleged employee’s work by not stopping the alleged employee
from working, e.g., not stopping the boy from carrying water to the coalminers.
(Martinez, supra, 49 Cal.4th at pp. 58, 69-70 [“failure to prevent the work from
occurring”].) It does not concern suffering by the employee due to the alleged failure to
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pay wages owed. Also it does not concern failing to hinder a third party, e.g., ARS.
Accordingly, we conclude Curry has failed to meet her burden of establishing there is a
triable issue of fact as to Shell being Curry’s employer based upon the definition of
suffering or permitting Curry to work.
Thus, we conclude Curry’s causes of action fail under the “suffering or
permitting” definition of employer.
E. ENGAGE
We examine whether there is triable issue of fact concerning Shell being Curry’s
employer under the “to engage” definition of employer.
1. LAW
“‘[T]o engage’ has no other apparent meaning in the present context than its
plain, ordinary sense of ‘to employ,’ that is, to create a common law employment
relationship.” (Martinez, supra, 49 Cal.4th at p. 64, fn. omitted.) The common law test
focuses on the issue of whether a worker is an employee or an independent contractor.
(Estrada v. FedEx Ground Package System, Inc. (2007) 154 Cal. App. 4th 1, 11.)
The essence of the common law employment test “is the ‘control of details’—
that is, whether the principal has the right to control the manner and means by which the
worker accomplishes the work—but there are a number of additional factors in the
modern equation, including (1) whether the worker is engaged in a distinct occupation
or business, (2) whether, considering the kind of occupation and locality, the work is
usually done under the principal’s direction or by a specialist without supervision,
(3) the skill required, (4) whether the principal or worker supplies the instrumentalities,
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tools, and place of work, (5) the length of time for which the services are to be
performed, (6) the method of payment, whether by time or by job, (7) whether the work
is part of the principal’s regular business, and (8) whether the parties believe they are
creating an employer-employee relationship. [Citations.] The parties’ label is not
dispositive and will be ignored if their actual conduct establishes a different
relationship.” (Estrada v. FedEx Ground Package System, Inc., supra, 154 Cal.App.4th
at p. 10.)
2. DISTINCT OCCUPATION OR BUSINESS
The first factor is whether Curry engaged in a distinct occupation or business.
Curry worked at two gas stations, one at Via Rancho and another at Carmel Mountain.
The undisputed facts reflect, “As an ARS station manager, Curry supervised
approximately five to seven ARS cashiers.” Thus, Curry was engaged in the distinct
occupation of an ARS station manager.
3. SUPERVISED OR UNSUPERVISED
The second factor is whether considering the kind of occupation and locality, the
work is usually done under the principal’s direction or by a specialist without
supervision. “While employed by ARS, Curry reported to and took direction from ARS
employees . . . and, at times, from the manager of the ARS HR department.” From this
evidence it can be inferred that Curry’s job was performed under the principal’s
direction. In this case, the principal was ARS. In regard to Shell providing direction to
Curry, Shell required various tasks be performed by ARS; however, there is nothing
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indicating that Shell required Curry be the person to perform those tasks. It was ARS
that required Curry to perform certain tasks.
4. SKILLS
The third factor is the skill required for the work. Curry worked directly for
Shell from May 2001 to March 2003. From March to July 2003, Curry worked “at a
gas station.” “In July, 2003, Curry was contacted [by an ARS employee] for the
purpose of recruiting Curry to become the manager of the Via Rancho Station.” It can
be inferred from this evidence that skills are needed for managing a gas station. The
evidence that Curry was recruited by ARS indicates a particular skill set was desired—
ARS wanted a person with experience in the field.
The undisputed evidence reflects (1) “[Shell] never directed ARS to recruit,
interview, hire, or promote any specific ARS employee”; and (2) “ARS alone
determined what duties Curry should perform.” Because Shell did not have input on the
hiring process or Curry’s job duties, it can be inferred that Shell did not require a
particular skill sets because Shell did not have input on the tasks performed by a
particular employee.
5. INSTRUMENTALITIES, TOOLS, AND PLACE OF WORK
The fourth factor is whether the principal or worker supplies the
instrumentalities, tools, and place of work. Curry’s job training was provided by ARS.
ARS required Curry attend environmental compliance courses taught by Shell. ARS
paid for Curry’s time at the classes. Curry was required to wear a shirt and a nametag
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that were purchased by ARS and given to Curry by ARS. Thus, ARS provided Curry
with the information and uniform necessary to conduct her work.
Further, ARS operated the fueling facilities and leased the convenience stores
and car wash facilities where Curry worked. Shell owned the fueling facilities. Thus,
ARS and Shell provided Curry with a place to work—ARS provided the convenience
store and car wash, while Shell provided the fueling station, i.e., the fueling islands.
Shell also provided fuel and the fueling equipment, such as the fuel storage tanks.
Curry’s job duties included “many of the tasks set forth in the MSO Site Operations
Manual, the CVP . . . Guide, and the [HSE Reference].” Therefore, it can be inferred
that Curry’s job duties involved tasks such as determining the amount of fuel in the
storage tanks. As a result, Shell provided some of the equipment for Curry’s job, in that
Curry performed tasks related to Shell’s fueling equipment.
6. LENGTH OF TIME
The fifth factor is the length of time for which the services are to be performed.
The undisputed facts reflect “ARS alone determined that Curry would be deemed an
exempt employee . . . [and] when she would work.” Thus, ARS determined what shifts
Curry would work. The undisputed facts reflect, “ARS alone made all hiring,
disciplinary and promotional decisions with respect to Curry.” Thus, Curry’s hiring and
any possible termination would be decided by ARS. The undisputed facts reflect, “ARS
alone also determined when Curry could take personal time off from work, when she
could take vacations and when she could make up work time she missed.” Thus, ARS
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decided when Curry could miss work. In sum, ARS decided the length of time for
which Curry’s work was to be performed.
Curry asserts Shell was able to determine the length of time Curry worked
because Shell had the right to effectively terminate Curry. The MSO Contract provides,
“Operator has the right to select, hire, and discharge such employees, provided,
however, Operator shall remove any such employee promptly upon [Shell’s] request for
good cause shown. [Shell] shall not select, hire, discharge, supervise or instruct any of
Operator’s employees.”
The MSO contract authorizes Shell to have ARS remove an ARS employee from
a station, but does not permit Shell to terminate any ARS employee’s employment. For
example, if Shell requested Curry be permanently removed from its stations, then ARS
could employ Curry in its offices or assign Curry the off-site task of driving around
checking competing station’s gas prices. The evidence cited by Curry does not create a
triable issue of fact as to whether Shell could terminate Curry’s employment because it
does not indicate that Shell could terminate Curry’s employment.
7. PAYMENT
The sixth factor is the method of payment, whether by time or by job. When
ARS offered Curry the position of manager of the Via Rancho Station, it offered an
annual salary of $32,000. Thus, Curry was a salaried employee of ARS; she was not
paid a project. The undisputed facts reflect ARS “maintained exclusive control over all
payroll” for Curry. Thus, Curry was not paid by Shell.
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8. REGULAR BUSINESS
The seventh factor is whether the work is part of the principal’s regular business.
“ARS operated approximately 15 gas stations San Diego County and employed over
100 people at those stations.” Given this undisputed fact, it can reasonably be inferred
that Curry’s management of two gas stations was part of ARS’s regular business
because ARS’s business involved operating gas stations.
Shell owned approximately 365 fueling stations in California. There is nothing
indicating Shell employed people at the gas stations. Thus, Curry’s work at the fueling
station was not part of Shell’s business. In other words, Shell was not in the business of
operating fueling stations—it was in the business of owning real estate and fuel.
Curry contends “Shell was and is in the business of selling its motor fuel at
facilities which it owns. . . . ARS merely provided the station employees and made sure
that they performed their tasks in the manner in which Shell dictated.” Curry’s
argument is problematic. If ARS supplied the employees and supervised the
employees’ work, then ARS was in the business of operating the station, and Shell was
in the business of owning the station.
For example, if the owner of an apartment complex hires a property management
company, and that property management company hires an on-site manager for the
complex, the owner is not engaged in the business of property management. Rather, the
owner is in the business of owning real estate, while the property management company
is in the business of managing properties. Shell’s contract with ARS did not put Shell
in the business of operating fuel stations.
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9. BELIEFS
The eighth factor is whether the parties believe they are creating an employer-
employee relationship. The undisputed facts reflect “Curry completed an Application
for Employment with ARS” and “received, signed and returned to ARS a writing
outlining her conditional offer of employment.” These undisputed facts support the
inference that Curry and ARS believed they were creating an employer-employee
relationship.
In regard to Shell, when Curry met with the recruiter who recruited her to work
at the Via Rancho station, Curry believed the recruiter was a Shell employee. However,
at that recruitment meeting, “Curry completed an Application for Employment with
ARS.” The reasonable inference from these undisputed facts is that Curry initially
believed at the recruitment meeting that she was being offered a job by Shell, but came
to understand in the recruitment meeting that she was being offered a job by ARS,
hence the ARS job application. Thus, the undisputed facts do not reflect Shell and
Curry believed they created an employer-employee relationship.
10. CONCLUSION
In sum, Shell, along with ARS, provided Curry a place to work and the
equipment with which she performed her job. Providing a portion of Curry’s work
location and equipment is insufficient to raise a triable issue of material fact as to Shell
being Curry’s employer due to the many other factors reflecting Shell is not Curry’s
employer.
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In other words, one could not reasonably conclude that Shell controlled the
manner and means by which Curry accomplished her work because Shell did not
supervise Curry, Shell did not have input on Curry’s skills, Shell did not have control
over the length of time Curry performed her job, Shell did not pay Curry, Shell was not
in the business of operating service stations, and Shell and Curry did not believe they
were creating an employer-employee relationship. Accordingly, we conclude Curry’s
causes of action fail under the “to engage” definition of employer.
F. CONCLUSION
In conclusion, Curry’s three causes of action fail because there is not a triable
issue of material fact concerning Shell being Curry’s employer under any of the three
legal definitions of employer. The trial court properly granted summary judgment.
DISPOSITION
The judgment is affirmed. Respondent is awarded its costs on appeal.
CERTIFIED FOR PUBLICATION
MILLER
Acting P. J.
We concur:
CODRINGTON
J.
SLOUGH
J.
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