IN RE: the Claim of Gloria KAPLAN (1999)

Appeal from a decision of the Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board, filed October 29, 1997, which assessed Tupperware Distributors Inc. additional unemployment insurance contributions based upon remuneration paid to claimant and those similarly situated.

Claimant worked for over 20 years for Tupperware Inc. (hereinafter Tupperware), a manufacturer of kitchenware products.   At the time of her discharge, claimant's job title was that of a sales distributor consultant, whose job responsibilities included the recruitment and training of sales representatives for Tupperware Distributors Inc. (hereinafter TDI), a Tupperware subsidiary.   The record contains substantial evidence to support the conclusion of the Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board that TDI exercised sufficient direction and control over the work of claimant and those similarly situated to establish an employment relationship (see, Matter of Rivera [State Line Delivery Serv.-Roberts], 69 N.Y.2d 679, 682, 512 N.Y.S.2d 14, 504 N.E.2d 381, cert. denied 481 U.S. 1049, 107 S.Ct. 2181, 95 L.Ed.2d 837).   As it did for all its distributors, TDI reimbursed claimant for her business and travel expenses, provided her with a vehicle and an office, handled all production and shipment of products to customers and responded to all customer complaints.   Claimant was required to attend regional sales meetings and her performance was monitored.   She was further supplied with worksheets containing detailed sales and administrative procedures to be followed, including recommended sales pitches and strategies for enhancing sales.   During most of the relationship, claimant was paid a monthly salary in addition to sales commissions for which she was required to submit weekly reports of her sales contacts and the number of sales made.   After March 1996, she was provided with a 10% sales commission as her basis of compensation and was no longer reimbursed for expenses.

Substantial evidence supports the Board's decision finding the existence of an employment relationship (see, Matter of Francis [West Sanitation Servs.-Sweeney], 246 A.D.2d 751, 752, 668 N.Y.S.2d 55, lv. dismissed 92 N.Y.2d 886, 678 N.Y.S.2d 587, 700 N.E.2d 1223).   That the written agreement between claimant and TDI was entitled “Independent Consultant Agreement” and that claimant was specifically referred to therein as an independent contractor does not dictate a contrary result (see, id., at 752, 668 N.Y.S.2d 55;  see also, Matter of Wilde [Enesco Imports Corp.-Sweeney], 236 A.D.2d 722, 653 N.Y.S.2d 732, lv. denied 89 N.Y.2d 817, 659 N.Y.S.2d 858, 681 N.E.2d 1305).   We note that while evidence was presented that might have supported a contrary outcome, substantial evidence nonetheless supports the decision that under the Labor Law, claimant and those similarly situated were TDI's employees (see, Matter of Field Delivery Serv. [Roberts], 66 N.Y.2d 516, 521, 498 N.Y.S.2d 111, 488 N.E.2d 1223).

ORDERED that the decision is affirmed, without costs.

GRAFFEO, J.

CARDONA, P.J., MERCURE, SPAIN and CARPINELLO, JJ., concur.