Cast Member Question

[Nulyte]

Hi, my husband is a new FT Cast Member. When he applied he only wanted PT but casting told him they had a FT 32 hour a week position so he said sure. Once he got on site the job is 6 days a week with mandatory OT. Can he change his availability or is his only option to quit and re apply in 6 months? I have some health issues so 6 days a week doesn't work for our medical appt schedule. He really loves working there but feels he was duped from being told it's a 32 hour week to working 6 days a week. Any advice? Thanks!

 

[larryz]

Whoa. Feeling "duped" is not a good way to start a relationship with a new employer. My opinion: he should quit and find a job with an employer where he's comfortable and happy, not peeved that he's getting more hours than he was promised. I have to say that there are those working at WDW who would envy your husband's position for the hours he's getting.

 

[DisneyJoe]

Had he asked about maximum number of hours? Or discussed medical appointments and flexibility?

 

[Retroman40]

Most areas have a Facebook shift swapping and give-away page. PT help is often looking to pick up extra shifts for the $$$. The 32 hours is a minimum guaranteed to FT cast. Sixth days (for FT) and longer shifts (both FT/PT) are facts of life during busy times.

 

[Nulyte]

Whoa. Feeling "duped" is not a good way to start a relationship with a new employer. My opinion: he should quit and find a job with an employer where he's comfortable and happy, not peeved that he's getting more hours than he was promised. I have to day that there are those working at WDW who would envy your husband's position for the hours he's getting.

Had he asked about maximum number of hours? Or discussed medical appointments and flexibility?

Had he asked about maximum number of hours? Or discussed medical appointments and flexibility?

Yes he did ask about hours and flexibility at Casting and again at Traditions. All he spoke to told him it wouldn't be an issue. They stated his area would work with him. He would have taken PT if he had known that it was a mandatory 6 day work week.
In his area there is no swapping allowed. They are all FT. Many there are also new hires, their morale is low and their turnover rate is 95%. So LarryZ there are many open positions for those who feel envy and want to transfer.
He loves working for Disney but with my breast cancer treatments and inability to drive it is difficult.
He was told last night they have been doing mandatory OT for over a year due to their turnover rate. He would love to make it work to his 6 months and transfer but they have told him they don't transfer people out due to their shortage. Is it true that they sometimes don't allow transfers?
He is by no means "peeved", about extra hours , if I was well and it was a perfect world he would work the hours with no problems. I am not here to start anything I was just looking for possible work arounds from cast members who may have experienced this. The money is nice to have , cancer treatments aren't cheap.

 

[DisneyJoe]

Just a suggestion as far as inability to drive - I can't drive either due to medical issues and Uber/Lyft have been extremely helpful to me.

 

[rob0519]

Hi, my husband is a new FT Cast Member. When he applied he only wanted PT but casting told him they had a FT 32 hour a week position so he said sure. Once he got on site the job is 6 days a week with mandatory OT. Can he change his availability or is his only option to quit and re apply in 6 months? I have some health issues so 6 days a week doesn't work for our medical appt schedule. He really loves working there but feels he was duped from being told it's a 32 hour week to working 6 days a week. Any advice? Thanks!

Well most people in the real world think of 32 hours as 4 eight hour work days. Hopefully, your husband didn't leave casting with that impression. I have acquaintances that work at Disney and cannot believe the 95% turnover number. If you can, without giving too much away and causing problems for your husband, tell us where in WDW he works and what is this job that is making people run for the hills?

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

I would say that before he quits, he should talk to his supervisor again about your medical needs. And try to make it clear one last time, that he isn't trying to shirk out of duties and working but that it is a real needs situation. Maybe he could mention that as your medical situation improves and hopefully treatments aren't necessary he could pick up more shifts again. If they really have so much turnover and are short staffed anyway, the supervisor would be foolish to let a worker go that is willing to work. If they are unwilling to be a little more flexible and it doesn't work, then maybe a different part-time job would be better for him and you. Best wishes for your recovery and treatments.

 

[Nulyte]

Well most people in the real world think of 32 hours as 4 eight hour work days. Hopefully, your husband didn't leave casting with that impression. I have acquaintances that work at Disney and cannot believe the 95% turnover number. If you can, without giving too much away and causing problems for your husband, tell us where in WDW he works and what is this job that is making people run for the hills?

It's Utilites and Epcot and yes we were told wonderful things also but that's what I'm saying it's not all what you are told. Why would he not leave with the impression of 4- 8 hour days , when that's what Casting told him it would be. He would have no issues doing a 5 day work week. That's exactly what he believed. I'm just saying when they hire and they know it's mandatory OT 6 days a week you should be up front with your new employee. Doing OT for a short period of time is also fine but they have stated they have been in this schedule for over a year and have no plans to cut back. At that point you should tell the prospective employee what is expected. I worked medical before I got sick , going in I knew my schedule was 7-12's on and 3 off , they never hid that from me or my coworkers. Once we were fully staffed we became 7 on 7 off.
Again we want to make this work. If he knew that at the 6 month mark he could transfer and be accepted he would. If he can step down to PT he would, since we know that you only have to give them 3 days availability. Then he could pick up shifts as my treatment options change. We at not ungrateful we are just trying to find options that work.

 

[rob0519]

It's Utilites and Epcot and yes we were told wonderful things also but that's what I'm saying it's not all what you are told. Why would he not leave with the impression of 4- 8 hour days , when that's what Casting told him it would be. He would have no issues doing a 5 day work week. That's exactly what he believed. I'm just saying when they hire and they know it's mandatory OT 6 days a week you should be up front with your new employee. Doing OT for a short period of time is also fine but they have stated they have been in this schedule for over a year and have no plans to cut back. At that point you should tell the prospective employee what is expected. I worked medical before I got sick , going in I knew my schedule was 7-12's on and 3 off , they never hid that from me or my coworkers. Once we were fully staffed we became 7 on 7 off.
Again we want to make this work. If he knew that at the 6 month mark he could transfer and be accepted he would. If he can step down to PT he would, since we know that you only have to give them 3 days availability. Then he could pick up shifts as my treatment options change. We at not ungrateful we are just trying to find options that work.

Sounds like HR knew they had a problem and pulled a bait and switch based on the high turnover. I'm sorry about your health situation and hope it is being treated as best as possible. I'm also sorry that you and your husband are in scheduling hell. My wife has multiple heath issues and has had surgery, tests, follow up appointments almost every week since October. I'm lucky that so far, based on my job responsibilities, I've been able to take her to most of them and then either go to the office or work from home. I hope it works out for both of you. Good Luck.

 

[OliveMcFly]

He can be put on a waitlist for part time for where he currently is or for a transfer. There's also the option of seasonal but they're not guaranteed any hours and are able to be let go if they don't work enough.

 

[Nulyte]

He can be put on a waitlist for part time for where he currently is or for a transfer. There's also the option of seasonal but they're not guaranteed any hours and are able to be let go if they don't work enough.

Thank you! I will tell him!

 

[J_Krafty24]

Is the family medical leave act an option for him to get the time off he needs to get you to your medical appointments and take care of you after treatments? I do not remember the rules that go into it but that might be an option to look into.

 

[LAKid53]

While Disney is a covered employer under FMLA (employs more than 50), if your husband hasn't worked at Disney for at least 12 months - doesn't need to be consecutive - as a FT employee or 1,250 hours within the last 12 months for PT employees, he's not eligible for FMLA.

 

[LAKid53]

This is my recommendation for your husband.

He needs to speak with his supervisor, not Casting, Traditions. His supervisor sets the schedule. He need to be clear about your treatments - how frequently, how far in advance they can be scheduled, are they typically on the same week day, how long do they take (include travel time to/from), does he need to be with you for a period of time after you get home, how many months will you be undergoing treatment, etc. And I'd also provide a letter from your doctor explaining all this He should offer suggestions for scheduling (I'll be willing to take the crappy shifts no one wants). If your husband has a highly skilled and in demand trade, he's in a better position to bargin.

I cannot believe no one in TDO has flipped out over a turnover rate that high...it's a clear sign that something is seriously wrong with a company when they have a 95% turnover rate. My god, personnel recruitment, training and retention is costing them a fortune!

If his supervisor is unwilling to work with your family's medical needs for this period of time, your husband may have to find work at another company, as much as he wanted to work at Disney.

Good luck to you both!