1.) Agents are mandated to use their company logo and brokerage info in all ads, both by NYC law and by the company. Some companies have strict dress code requirements when meeting clients.
2.) The brokerage firm definitely controls the tools used, from internal databases to marketing syndication tools to in-house CRM systems.
3.) The brokerage firm has vicarious liability over the actions of their agents (also mandated by NYC law). For that reason the brokerage firm has a huge incentive to vet their employees.
4.) Agents generally have very little discretion if any on the commission charged. The brokerage firm sets commission policies and any deviations must be approved by the managing broker or associate broker.
5.) I highly disagree with the court ruling here [edit: administrative ruling?]; my understanding is Uber drivers are free to turn off the Uber app and operate without the source of leads generated, and that certainly impacts PNL (if that's not the case, agents still can't simply ignore leads forever without getting fired). Uber doesn't mandate when or where the work is done. Same with agents, the brokerages generally can't impact when or where the work is done, with the exception of some mandatory company wide meetings. Firms tend to provide desk space and equipment.
6.) An agent hired by a brokerage firm may not "subcontract" by having a friend show up in his place and conduct the work, even if the friend is a licensed real estate agent -- the brokerage, assuming vicarious liability for the actions of all their agents, would not allow it. This is different from an overworked agent asking a colleague to take over clients, both are still agents of the brokerage.