Can my employer make me appear on a TV programme?

tearingmyhairout_3

My employer has been asked to provide someone to be interviewed for a TV programme and I have been told I have to do it. I am not comfortable doing it because I don't really want to appear on TV, it feels like an invasion of my privacy and is not the sort of thing I would seek to do. I would have to be "posing" as a particular type of consumer so it wouldn't be genuine. And also I'm moving to a new job in 4 weeks and it doesn't really fit with the new job I am going to. Can he force me to do it? And what valid reason can I give for not doing it without sounding like a wimp?

wantsajob

What does your contract say about other activities?

tearingmyhairout_3

It says any other duties that may be required but I think that appearing on TV is a bit of a cheek. At a previous place I used to work they asked your permission before quoting you, using your pics in any publicity etc. I don't feel it's appropriate to pretend to be something I'm not, especially when I am leaving the employer in 4 weeks anyway and moving to a completely different sector. One of my colleagues did ask me if I was happy doing it and she said if she was asked she'd have said no. Thing is I wasn't asked, I was told and it was assumed I'd be happy, but I'm not.

SpendlessKaren

No he can't and you have to sign a release form when the TV company come to say you will appear anyway. Just say you aren't happy and do not wish to appear on TV, then tell the TV company and don't sign the release form.

greytroot

Dye yer hair pink and give them a sh!tey attitude - that will stop it being used!

TUS

Take a sickie that day? :-o

wantsajob

If this is not long before you leave, can you try rubbish the companies products on camera in some way?

Sambucus_Nigra

Have you been media trained?

Sharon87

Tell your employer to find someone else as you are uncomfortable in front of the camera and are rubbish in front of it anyway. Tell your employer you won't be signing the release form, so they'll have to find someone else. The TV company can't broadcast you without permission - unless you're in the background and not recognisable - say you have a back to the camera in the distance.

MsHoarder

Possibly suggest to them that it interferes with your right to privacy? Or that you are a really bad actor?

They couldn't publicise your private data (including full name) without your consent, so I'm not sure that they can make you be on TV.

livermum

I would just say no