Alleged Anonymous WWE Employee Complains About Being Forced to Work During Pandemic (Update)

During a meeting of the Orange County Board of County Commissioners this morning, a comment was read that was submitted by someone claiming to be a WWE employee, who said that he felt forced to work during the coronavirus pandemic.

This is from a speaker named Jon:

“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. 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 cannot 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

Florida Spectrum News reporter Jon Alba pointed out that there isn’t a way to verify that the person is really a WWE employee, but said that there have been several employees who have expressed concern about the current situation.

While there isn't really way to verify this is 100% absolutely a #WWE employee given the nature of the complaint, it should be noted there have been several within the company who have expressed concern, many privately, over the tapings continuing.

— Jon Alba (@JonAlba) April 21, 2020

WWE originally planned to tape five weeks worth of shows within a span of a week earlier this month, but plans changed after Florida declared WWE and other national sports as “essential services,” allowing WWE to move to a much more frequent taping schedule, forcing wrestlers and employees to travel back and forth during the pandemic. There have been several reports that wrestlers and staff were “shocked” and upset by the decision, so the complaint isn’t farfetched at all.

Dave Meltzer said on Twitter that “everyone in both WWE & AEW have been told that they don’t have to work these tapings,” so they may not be technically “forced” to work, but acknowledged that “that also doesn’t mean there isn’t inherent pressure, especially during a period of massive layoffs.”

Update: WWE responded with the following statement to media:

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.