Producers of "Love is Blind" Accused of Labor Violations

By Daniel Wiessner

(Reuters) – The producers of Netflix (NASDAQ:NFLX)'s hit reality dating show "Love is Blind" have been accused by a U.S. labor board of attempting to strip cast members of their rights to discuss working conditions and speak publicly about their experiences.

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) issued a complaint on Wednesday stating that Delirium TV and Kinetic Content intentionally misclassified cast members as "participants" rather than employees to evade federal labor laws, according to an NLRB spokeswoman on Thursday.

The companies allegedly forced "Love is Blind" contestants to sign agreements with illegal noncompete and confidentiality clauses and prohibited them from discussing the terms of their participation.

"Love is Blind," which recently concluded its seventh season, features contestants going on "dates" in small rooms separated by a barrier, preventing them from seeing each other. Couples only meet face-to-face if they become engaged.

Renee Poche, a contestant from the show's fifth season whose storyline never aired, shared her experiences on a podcast, resulting in Delirium filing a $4 million complaint against her in arbitration, according to the NLRB.

Netflix, not named in the complaint, declined to comment. A lawyer for the production companies did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Mark Geragos, a lawyer representing Poche, stated that the case "promises to change the reality TV industry forever." Geragos emphasized that the practices identified by the NLRB are widespread in the industry, suggesting that further actions might ensue.

NLRB complaints are evaluated by administrative judges, with decisions subject to review by a five-member board appointed by the U.S. president. Appeals can be brought to federal courts, making the entire process lengthy.

The complaint aims to compel Delirium and Kinetic to classify show participants as employees, nullify the allegedly unlawful agreements, and compensate former contestants for any financial harm incurred from the companies' practices.

Poche, a veterinarian from Texas, filed a lawsuit against Netflix and Delirium earlier this year to block the arbitration case against her. A California state judge ruled against her in March, and she is appealing that decision.

Poche alleges she was matched with a man who lied about his background and exhibited violent, erratic behavior, alongside addiction issues.

Earlier this year, Netflix and the production companies agreed to pay $1.4 million to settle a proposed class action, acknowledging claims that "Love is Blind" contestants were employees entitled to minimum wage under California law, although they denied any wrongdoing.