Authors: Rebecca Stevens, Partner & Stephanie Huestis, Associate
A recent ruling by the New South Wales Workers’ Compensation Commission has found that a contestant on the television program ‘House Rules’ was legally an employee of the Seven Network, entitling the contestant to compensation pursuant to s 60 of the Workers Compensation Act 1987 as a result of a psychiatric injury she sustained whilst appearing on the show.
Background
On 11 September 2016, the applicant and Ms Taylor applied for House Rules and were subsequently invited to film some pieces to camera, take promotional photographs, attend a physical and a psychological assessment (the latter conducted over Skype) before being advised they had been selected for the show on 28 September 2016.
The applicant and Ms Taylor each signed an agreement prepared by the respondent, which provided that the applicant was to be paid $500 per week together with a further allowance of $500 per week during her time as a contestant on the show.
The contestants moved to Sydney on 26 November 2016. They arrived on set on 1 December 2016, and according to the applicant she and Ms Taylor were isolated from the other teams, all of whom were couples. The applicant stated she felt ‘harassed and bullied’ during the filming which was not only condoned by the producer but rather aggravated and even encouraged. After witnessing Ms Taylor be physically assaulted and subsequently complaining, the applicant was threatened that both contestants would be portrayed negatively.
