7-Eleven Franchisee Contract Probed on Worker Classification

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court appeared perplexed by how to create a distinction in the interpretation of state independent contractor law that could afford managers directly involved in day-to-day operations of a franchise different legal protections than hands-off, multi-millionaire owners.

Franchisees who operate 7-Eleven convenience stores have waged a lengthy legal battle against the company that has bounced between state and federal court, claiming that they should be classified as employees under the state’s “ABC test” that determines worker status. Monday’s oral argument hinged on whether the franchisees “perform any service” for 7-Eleven, triggering application of the test. ...