An anonymous World Wrestling Entertainment employee says employees are being “forced to work” TV tapings, and are unable to observe proper social distancing protocol.
Journalist Jon Alba today tweeted footage from a meeting of Florida’s Orange County Board of County Commissioners, during which the statement of an anonymous WWE employee, who referred to themselves as “John”, provided a public comment. That statement was read into the record, stating that WWE employees are being forced to work in order to keep their job.
“My employer, World Wrestling Entertainment, a.k.a. WWE, is forcing me to work the TV tapings for its weekly shows despite stay-at-home orders for coronavirus,” the public comment reads. “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
WWE was originally deemed a non-essential business at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic but Florida governor, Gov. Ron DeSantis, named it an essential business earlier this month.
Despite being dubbed an essential business, WWE is responsible for maintaining social distancing among other precautions per Gov. DeSantis’ orders. Before WWE was an essential business, the Orange County Sheriff Office warned the wrestling organization on several occasions that it was in violation of Florida’s stay-at-home order, according to Spectrum News 13. This was because WWE continued to hold wrestling events in the Orlando-based WWE Performance Center.
This center is where the company’s current no-audience TV tapings are being shot and produced. At the time, officers told WWE to shut down its production as it was a non-essential business. A few days after one of the final warnings from the sheriff’s office, Gov. DeSantis deemed WWE an essential business. According to “John”, employees are being forced to work and aren’t able to follow social distancing precautions while doing so. “John” said employees fear losing their jobs should they speak out against this.
[ignvideo url=”https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/03/13/how-coronavirus-delays-are-impacting-2020-movies-ign-now”]
Gov. DeSantis’ office told Spectrum News 13 in Orlando that WWE was “critical to Florida’s economy” and that “employees at these locations” benefit from the business being recognized as essential. WWE has not responded to this anonymous employee’s public comment at this time.
This news comes just a week after WWE announced roster cuts and furloughed some of its staff. Here are some ways to help and stay safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.
[poilib element=”accentDivider”]
Wesley LeBlanc is a freelance news writer and guide maker for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @LeBlancWes.
Source: IGN.com Anonymous WWE Employee Says They Are Being 'Forced to Work' TV Tapings