Someone allegedly in WWE filed a public comment to the Orange County Board in Florida, wanting the county to shut down the WWE TV tapings.
Jon Alba of Spectrum Sports 360 reports a WWE employee by the name of "John" submitted a public comment where he/she said WWE is forcing them to work during the pandemic.
The comment said, "My employer, World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), is forcing me to work the TV tapings for its weekly shows despite the (stay at) home orders for coronavirus. I am unable to speak out as I need this job and I know I will be fired if I approach the 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
It is unconfirmed if the WWE employee was verified by any party.
WWE issued the following response to Fightful Select:
"These accusations aren’t true. 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."
Multiple wrestlers have said publicly that WWE does not force anyone to be there who doesn't want to be there.
WWE was deemed "essential business" by the Governor of Florida on April 9, allowing them to continue running live events. Initially, WWE was going to keep running live shows from the Performance Center, but the company changed its taping schedule to tape every two weeks as opposed to live each week. The change was reportedly made for the safety of the performers.
It was previously reported the Orange County Sheriff was called multiple times to the WWE Performance Center and told WWE they were not in compliance with the initial stay-at-home executive order and had to close down before being deemed "essential business."
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