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Rio de Janeiro Court Rules Against Abusive Conduct Behind TV Show, Orders Compensation for Moral Damages and Requires Broadcaster to Pay Overtime and Other Labor Rights
The Rio de Janeiro court ordered TV Globo to pay R$ 220 thousand to a former producer of the show Domingão do Faustão, after recognizing the occurrence of abusive conduct and embarrassing situations during the period he worked on the program. The decision also requires the broadcaster to pay overtime and other labor rights deemed owed to the professional.
The information was disclosed by Revista Oeste, according to a decision issued by the 63rd Labor Court of Rio de Janeiro, in a ruling signed by Judge Tarsila Dantas. The case involves former producer Renato, who reported being repeatedly exposed to humiliating situations behind the scenes of the show hosted by Fausto Silva, one of the greatest icons of Brazilian television.
Although Domingão do Faustão has historically been associated with a relaxed and entertaining environment, the proceedings revealed that backstage, this informality exceeded legal and professional limits, according to the court’s understanding.
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Former Producer Reports Embarrassing Incidents and Public Exposure During the Show
According to court documents, Renato stated that he was subjected to embarrassing pranks, which exceeded entertainment and impacted his personal dignity. Among the incidents cited, one of the most serious involved the requirement that he use a balloon on his genital area, which was later popped by an artist riding a bicycle, in an action displayed as part of the show’s interactions.
For the former producer, the incident constituted an unacceptable humiliation, especially as it occurred in a work environment, under the hierarchy of a renowned presenter and in front of a large team. According to the account, such situations were not isolated but recurring, which contributed to a hostile work environment.
Furthermore, the case mentions derogatory comments regarding the physical appearance and personal life of the producer, including references to the so-called “Rap do Feio”, explicitly mentioned in the court ruling. According to the judge, this type of conduct goes beyond any justification of relaxation or television humor.
Globo Denies Moral Harassment and Claims Producer’s Voluntary Participation
In its defense, TV Globo denied the existence of moral harassment and claimed that Renato voluntarily participated in the pranks, having never formally complained against Fausto Silva or the show’s production. The broadcaster also emphasized that the producer maintained friendship bonds with the presenter, frequented his home, and appreciated the relaxed atmosphere of Domingão.
Another argument presented was that Renato had resigned to, subsequently, work with Fausto Silva at Band, after the presenter left Globo. According to the broadcaster, this would demonstrate mutual trust and the absence of conflict, in addition to reinforcing that the professional was seen as someone of personal esteem by the communicator.
Globo also claimed that it did not commercially exploit the producer’s image and that the case was brought in bad faith, aimed at obtaining undue financial advantage.
Judge Rejects Defense and States That Friendship Does Not Authorize Humiliation at Work
Despite the arguments presented, Judge Tarsila Dantas completely rejected the broadcaster’s defense. In her decision, the judge was emphatic in stating that the existence of proximity or friendship outside the professional environment does not grant a free pass for abusive practices in the performance of the role.
“The fact that there is proximity or friendship outside the workplace does not grant a free pass for the hierarchical superior or the main presenter of the program to expose the subordinate, making comments about their physical appearance, personal life, or with derogatory jokes,” the judge noted in the ruling.
According to the magistrate, it was proven that Renato was frequently the target of interactions and jokes, constituting a pattern of abusive conduct. For the court, the context of television entertainment does not exempt the application of labor laws, nor does it relativize the obligation to respect the dignity of the worker.
Globo Ordered to Pay Compensation, Overtime, and Other Labor Rights
Based on this understanding, the court set the compensation for moral damages at R$ 220 thousand, in addition to ordering Globo to make the payment of overtime and other labor rights recognized in the case. The total amount of the judgment can therefore exceed the initial amount, depending on the final calculations.
The ruling also highlights that the broadcaster has the right to appeal the decision, keeping the case open in higher courts. However, the first-instance decision already represents a significant milestone in the debate about moral harassment in the television environment, especially in high-audience programs with strong cultural influence.
Similar cases involving the broadcaster have reached the courts in recent years, such as lawsuits filed by actors, directors, and journalists, reigniting discussions about the limits of entertainment, humor, and hierarchy in large TV productions.
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