Matter of Khaychuk (Amazon Logistics, Inc.--Commissioner of Labor)
This case concerns an appeal by Amazon Logistics, Inc. (ALI) from two decisions of the Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board, which ruled that ALI was liable for additional unemployment insurance contributions for claimant Alexander Khaychuk and others similarly situated. Khaychuk, a delivery partner (DP) for ALI's Amazon Flex platform, applied for unemployment benefits after his engagement ended. The Board determined an employment relationship existed, reversing an Administrative Law Judge's decision. The Appellate Division, Third Department, affirmed the Board's decision, finding that ALI exercised sufficient control over significant aspects of the DPs' work, such as providing customers, assigning deliveries, setting time frames, and unilaterally determining fees. The court concluded that substantial evidence supported the Board's determination of an employment relationship, despite arguments that could support an independent contractor classification.