An independent contractor rarely performs work integral to the performance of the business. It is true that certain factors associated with contract employment are not present in this case, given that Mary worked very closely with a supervisor; used company materials; and adhered to a company schedule (Feig 2007)
The notion of 'at will employment' means that an employee may be fired for any reason, without cause, so long as the actions were not in violation of federal anti-discrimination law based upon the employee's membership in protected categories such as race, religion, gender, age, or disability. "Similarly, you cannot be fired because you have complained about illegal activity, about discrimination or harassment, or about health and safety violations in the workplace" (Guerin 2014)
The banana peel was on a ribbed mat which suggests the store did due diligence to protect customers from slip-and-falls. Negligence is established in the presence of a duty to care for others; a breach of that duty; an injury to the aggrieved party; and monetary losses to the injured (like medical bills) (Calisi 2015)