Posted: Friday 3 December 2010
Simon Cowell is Successful
I blogged in February of this year on a Britain's Got Talent contestant, Emma Czikai, who said she had been harassed and discriminated against because of a disability. She raised an Employment Tribunal claim against the show (and, indeed, against Mr Cowell himself). Ms Czikai maintained that the show could be deemed an employer as participants are offered the opportunity of a short-term employment contract.
However, the Tribunal rejected this. The winner of Britain's Got Talent, as I am sure you are aware, receives a cash prize and the chance to perform at the Royal Variety Performance. The winner may obtain further employment with Simco Ltd (Simon Cowell's company) but this is not guaranteed.
Ms Czikai failed on a number of points but this was the most fundamental, in my view. Of course, the prize on Britain's Got Talent differs significantly from other reality shows such as The X Factor or The Apprentice where an employment contract IS the ultimate reward...
