NLRB Classifies 'Love Is Blind' Contestants as Employees, Paving Way for Unionization Ahead of Season 8

Dec 12, 2024, 04:34 PM

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has issued a complaint against the production companies behind Netflix's hit reality show 'Love Is Blind,' classifying its contestants as employees. This move could pave the way for unionization within the reality television industry. The complaint stems from allegations by former contestants Renee Poche, who was involved in a legal dispute after publicly criticizing her experience on the show, and Nick Thompson, who has spoken out about the emotional toll of participating in the series. The show's production companies, Kinetic Content and Delirium TV, are accused of committing labor law violations by misclassifying participants as non-employees. The NLRB's complaint highlights several unlawful contractual provisions, including noncompete clauses and confidentiality requirements, which the board says deprived contestants of their workers' rights. The complaint seeks to have these participants reclassified as employees and to rescind the unlawful contractual terms. This case could have significant implications for how reality TV shows operate, potentially affecting the treatment and rights of participants across the industry, especially as the show prepares for its eighth season premiere in February.