Southwest Research Institute v. Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board

Opinion

GAUT, J.

1. Introduction

Southwest Research Institute, a Texas nonprofit corporation, appeals from a judgment denying its petition for a peremptory writ of mandate. On appeal, Southwest contends that, for purposes of paying unemployment benefits, Jeffery A. Yingst 1 was an independent contractor, not an employee, of Southwest. For several years, Yingst worked as a vendor for Southwest, obtaining gasoline samples for testing. Respondent, the Employment Development Department, defends the benefit decision of the California Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board, affirming the administrative…