Just a week ago, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declared that WWE and other sports and entertainment businesses were “essential business” and exempt from the statewide stay-at-home orders during the coronavirus pandemic.
On Tuesday during a meeting of the Orange Country Board of County Commissioners, someone who claimed to be an anonymous WWE employee going by the name of “John” provided a comment that stating that he and other employees are being “forced to work” the TV tapings at the WWE Performance Center and believes he would be fired if he spoke up to his superiors.
My employer World Wrestling Entertainment, aka WWE, is forcing me to work the TV tapings for its weekly shows despite stay-at-home orders for coronavirus,'” the anonymous employee’s statement read. “‘I am unable to speak out, as I need this job and I know I will be fired if I approach my higher-ups. Despite sanitary precautions, we can not maintain social distancing and have to touch other people. I request the government to shut down these tapings and enforce the stay-at-home order so my colleagues and I may follow social distancing rules without fear or repercussion of losing our jobs.
At Tuesday's Orange County Board of County Commissioners meeting, a #WWE employee named "John" submitted public comment they're being "forced to work" TV tapings despite stay at home orders. Says he's unable to speak out and feels he will be fired if he approaches his higher-ups. pic.twitter.com/UJTvX1RGc7
— Jon Alba (@JonAlba) April 21, 2020
WWE has since responded to the allegation.
“These accusations aren’t true,” the statement read. “Employees know they can confidentially go to Human Resources, not the public. Notwithstanding the appropriate protocol, no one would be fired if they were uncomfortable with their surroundings. We’ve made accommodations for individuals upon request.”
Both WWE and AEW have publicly stated that any employee who is not comfortable working right now can stay home and will not face any repercussions.
