A former "Love Is Blind" contestant is accusing the Netflix present of "inhumane working circumstances" on set, together with plying contestants with alcohol and failing to provide them correct fee or meals breaks. Jeremy Hartwell, who was on season 2 of the present, filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Courtroom final month, searching for damages for unpaid wages, missed relaxation intervals and meal breaks, "unfair enterprise practices and labor code violations."
Hartwell's go well with names Netflix, Kinetic Content material, Delirium TV and the present's workers as defendants. Whereas he was solid on the collection, Hartwell was not part of one of many six couples who left the pods engaged.
First premiering in 2020, "Love Is Blind" places single adults into courting pods, the place they'll hear however not see the particular person throughout from the them. Throughout a collection of dates, they need to determine whether or not they're keen to get engaged to somebody they've by no means seen. As soon as couples select to get engaged, they go on a honeymoon after which enter a model of actual life, introducing their chosen important different to family and friends, earlier than deciding within the season finale whether or not to say "I do."
In accordance with the lawsuit, workers who labored for the truth present allegedly misclassified contestants as "impartial contractors" with a view to deny them correct minimal wage and time beyond regulation pay. Hartwell mentioned that the solid labored as much as 20 hours per day, seven days per week, and have been paid $1,000 per week.
The lawsuit alleges the present's workers had "full domination" over when the solid members ate, slept and communicated with the skin world, together with leaving them alone with out entry to meals or a cellphone "for hours at a time."
"The one drinks that defendants often supplied to the solid have been alcoholic drinks, delicate drinks, power drinks and mixers. Hydrating drinks resembling water have been strictly restricted to the solid in the course of the day," the lawsuit reads. "The mixture of sleep deprivation, isolation, lack of meals, and an extra of alcohol all both required, enabled or inspired by defendants contributed to inhumane working circumstances and altered psychological state for the solid."
Chantal Payton, Hartwell's legal professional, mentioned in an announcement Thursday that the circumstances left solid members "hungry for social connections and altered their feelings and decision-making." The lawsuit provides that the circumstances led to a hazardous, "unsafe and unhealthful surroundings" on set.
Solid members have been additionally allegedly informed that in the event that they left earlier than filming was accomplished, they might be fined $50,000 in "liquidated damages," which Hartwell's legal professional mentioned had the potential to instill concern and exert "additional management" over the solid.
Netflix didn't instantly reply to a request for remark. Kinetic Content material denied Hartwell's allegations.
"Mr. Hartwell's involvement in Season 2 of Love is Blind lasted lower than one week," Kinetic Content material mentioned in an announcement. "Sadly, for Mr. Hartwell, his journey ended early after he didn't develop a major reference to another participant. Whereas we won't speculate as to his motives for submitting the lawsuit, there's completely no advantage to Mr. Hartwell's allegations, and we'll vigorously defend in opposition to his claims."
The lawsuit is a proposed class motion on behalf of all "Love Is Blind" solid members, in addition to solid members of different non-scripted exhibits created by Netflix and the opposite defendants. It says that the potential dimension of the plaintiff class is unknown however might embrace over 100 people.
Hartwell is searching for "unpaid time beyond regulation compensation, unpaid minimal wages, ready time penalties, statutory penalties, restitution, declaratory and injunctive aid, attorneys' charges and prices, prejudgment curiosity" and different "acceptable aid."