John Pollock and Brandon Thurston of Wrestlenomics have reported that WWE established a Consensual Relationships Policy in 2023.
The three-page policy was adopted one year after a wave of sexual misconduct allegations came to light against Vince McMahon, the company’s former chairman.
There is some specific language about the company’s top executives, stating:
WWE strongly discourages consensual relationships involving any WWE Board Member, or executive team member, such as the CEO, President, CFO, Chief Content Officer, Chief Legal Officer, or Chief Human Resources Officer.
The policy otherwise states that “an employee shall not exercise responsibility (instructional, evaluative, or supervisory) for any affiliated individual with whom the employee has or had a consensual relationship.”
The report includes an assessment of the policy by Dr. Lisa Mainiero, Professor of Management at Fairfield University, who noted the rules “did not address the issue of hierarchial relationships…which are certainly a conflict of interest.”
The policy is under such scrutiny following the lawsuit filed against McMahon, WWE, and former executive John Laurinaitis by Janel Grant with allegations of sex trafficking and sexual assault.