Ch 27 - Agency Law Flashcards
(84 cards)
What is an agency?
A relationship wherein one party (agent) agrees to represent the other (principal)
How do people generally form agencies?
By Agreement
Normally, the agreement need not be in writing, and consideration is not required.
What are the types of Agent’s Authority?
◾ Express Authority
◾ Implied Authority
◾ Apparent Authority
◾ Emergency Powers
◾ Ratification
Who is the agent in an agency relationship?
The party who agrees to represent or act for the principal.
i.e. the employee
Who is the principal in an agency relationship?
The party who has the right to control the agent’s conduct in matters entrusted to the agent.
i.e. the employer
A fiduciary relationship is a relationship of:
trust and confidence.
The actions of an agent can bind a principal.
A.) True
B.) False
A.) True
What is a fiduciary in agency law?
A person with a duty to act for the benefit of another.
When used as an adjective, as in “fiduciary relationship,” it means that the relationship involves t̲r̲u̲s̲t̲ a̲n̲d̲ c̲o̲n̲f̲i̲d̲e̲n̲c̲e̲.
Agency law and employment law overlap considerably.
A.) True
B.) False
A.) True
Because employees who deal with third parties are generally deemed to be agents of their employers, agency law and employment law overlap considerably. Agency relationships, however, can exist outside an employer-employee relationship, so agency law has a broader reach than employment law.
Agency law is based on
A.) Common Law
B.) Statutory Law
A.) Common Law
Employment law is based on
A.) Common Law
B.) Statutory Law
B.) Statutory Law
What are 3 characteristics of an employer-employee agency relationship?
- ) Employees who deal with third parties are deemed, agents
- ) Sales are binding on the principal even if made by the agent
- ) Overlap of agency law and employment law
Independent contractors are not employees.
A.) True
B.) False
A.) True
Those who hire them have no control over the details of their physical performance.
What is an independent contractor?
One who works for, and receives payment from, an employer but whose working conditions and methods are not controlled by the employer. An independent contractor is not an employee but may be an agent.
Why does it matter to determine whether someone is an employee or an independent contractor?
The issue can have a significant effect on the rights and liabilities of the parties.
For instance, employers are required to pay certain taxes, such as Social Security and unemployment insurance taxes, for employees but not for independent contractors.
In an employer-employee relationship, who pays Social Security taxes?
The employer.
In an employer-employee relationship, who pays Unemployment taxes (UIC)?
The employer.
In an employer-employee relationship, who is responsible for the torts of the employee?
The employer.
In an employer-employee relationship, who owns the copyright of the employee’s work?
The employer.
In an employer-employee relationship, is the employee protected by employment laws?
Yes
In an employer-employee relationship, is the employee protected against discrimination?
Yes
What are the characteristics of an employer-employee relationship?
The employer pays Social Security taxes
The employer pays Unemployment taxes (UIC)
The employer is responsible for torts of the employee
Employer owns the copyright of employee’s work
The employee is protected by employment laws
The employee is protected against discrimination
The employee receives insurance, vacation pay, etc.
What are the characteristics of an independent contractor situation?
Hiring Entity does not pay SS/UIC
Hiring Entity typically not responsible for torts of Independent Contractor
Independent Contractor Controls own work
Independent Contractor Retains compensation for work
Independent Contractor owns Copyright (unless contract states otherwise)
In an independent contractor situation, does the hiring entity pay Social Security and Unemployment taxes?
No.