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Disney CMs Denied Bathroom Breaks
- Thread starter cherrynegra
- Start date
speck76
Well-Known Member
The Federal FLSA (fair labor standards act) actually does not require employers to give employees breaks. The state of Florida does not either.
It is up to an individual company to establish a break policy. The company I work for requires 2 15 minute breaks (paid) and 1 1/2 hour break (unpaid) per 8 hour shift. The two 15 minute breaks are given at the discretion on the management due to business levels. (If it is a restaurant, you would not allow your staff to go on break during the lunch or dinner rush, that is not very sound practice).
Now, as a manager, if my associate needs to go to the bathroom, then they need to go. Now, if they are a frequent abuser of bathroom breaks, slow to return, or spending the time smoking or whatever, I may not be so nice.
We did not really get the full story about these cast members....maybe they are crappy associates that abuse the system.
JackSkellington
Active Member
We need to let these people go.
Wilt Dasney
Well-Known Member
Moses to Disney management:
"Let my people GO!"
:lookaroun
"Let my people GO!"
:lookaroun
Maria
New Member
I think these two cast members are being smarta$ses... sorry but if you have to be standing at the ticket booths in front of a line of people waiting for you, you don´t drink too much if you know there is noone to cover for you while you go to the nearest bathroom, or you plan ahead according to your break time.
A bathroom break in a theme park would take at least ten minutes if you consider the distance to the nearest restroom. I don´t think it can be compared to a restroom visit in a regular workplace like an office or so.
Don´t mean to be rude, but imagine having all those cm´s being allowed to take bathroom breaks besides their usual breaks? Wouldn´t surprise they took a bathroom break right before or after their break! How to control that when you have so many employees? Only with 'tough' rules that of course, can be broken when really necessary.
maxime29
Premium Member
The only way I see this is legit is if other CM's hadn't used their bathroom breaks "wisely", as in doing other stuff rather than expelling waste from their system. The manager could have had other CM's that have been away longer than they should have or they did something else other than use the restroom. It only takes a couple people to abuse a privelage and possibly have it taken away.
speck76
Well-Known Member
How now Halloween man
I have worked in the service industry all of my life, and I am probably more compassionate and understanding of a CM than the average person. When I go to service based establishments, I never complain, I never cause an issue, and I never scream at the staff, as it has all been done to me before, and I didn't really appreciate it then, nor would I now.
But...(there is always a but)
Having managed service industry associates, I have also realized not everyone is spun from gold....there are a lot of crappy workers out there who show up (I would say work...but they don't) only for the paycheck.
We don't know anything about these CM's...they maybe great workers, and then this story is very unfortunate....on the other hand, they may be previous abusers of the break system.
This may also be a one time issue, and it may never happen again....maybe they had a ton of call-offs.
I have worked in the service industry all of my life, and I am probably more compassionate and understanding of a CM than the average person. When I go to service based establishments, I never complain, I never cause an issue, and I never scream at the staff, as it has all been done to me before, and I didn't really appreciate it then, nor would I now.
But...(there is always a but)
Having managed service industry associates, I have also realized not everyone is spun from gold....there are a lot of crappy workers out there who show up (I would say work...but they don't) only for the paycheck.
We don't know anything about these CM's...they maybe great workers, and then this story is very unfortunate....on the other hand, they may be previous abusers of the break system.
This may also be a one time issue, and it may never happen again....maybe they had a ton of call-offs.
xfkirsten
New Member
One thing I think a lot of people overlook though is a SERIOUS safety issue. In Orlando heat, NOT drinking enough water is dangerous. I think Disney really needs to make allowances for that, but I know they won't because they don't honestly give a crap about CM safety.
-Kirsten
-Kirsten
Maria
New Member
Kirsten, when I was a cm who had to walk around WSC for 8 hours a day, I had time for breaks and I was allowed to carry a bottle of water (or coke or whatever worked for me). The office provided us the bottles too. However, I didn´t need so many bathroom breaks, I swear. Maybe because I sweat it all? :veryconfu There is a fine line between having a priviledge and abusing my rights, I think. Of course, I didn´t have to be standing in the sun all the time, I was adviced to be wise and avoid a heat struck (is that how it is said?).
I guess International Programs was nice to us... :animwink:
JackSkellington
Active Member
There are a lot of ifs ands and buts. I was not trying to be rude toward you. We are friends I am just saying to everyone. CM's need to take the Browns to the Super Bowl.
I can tell you this happens in alot more places then disney. Luckly i am level 2 but level 1 only has scheduled breaks, 2 bathroom and a lunch. and you have to sign on and off th ephone with specific codes, one for bathroom, one for lunch, etc. and they have fired people for takeing to many breaks etc. So Disney isn't the only company that dose stuff like this. I think right now disney is just being scrutenized more then anyone else because of eisner. Things will change once eisner is no more and someone who wants to see the core disney business succeed gets in.
xfkirsten
New Member
You're lucky. I was told that having a water bottle with me out the cart was bad show, even if it was just a plain, clear plastic bottle with the label peeled off. I would get my breaks eventually (most of the time, anyways) but especially during the summer, but the length of time between them without having water is what I really took issue with, because even I got dehydrated and felt woozy sometimes, and I can hold water like a camel. :lol:
And I agree, there is a fine line. I'd be interested to hear more details on this story, in particular. It said nothing about whether or not these particular CMs had gotten a break recently or not.
-Kirsten
JackSkellington
Active Member
Taking the Browns to the SuperBowl. Get it?
civileng68
Account Suspended
.
Well that's good and all but there's one big difference that you may not notice. The FLSA does not consider going to the bathroom part of a registered clocked out break. So, no, my employer in Florida is not required to give me a paid 15 minutes to go on a break but they are legally required to let me use the restroom.
Well that's good and all but there's one big difference that you may not notice. The FLSA does not consider going to the bathroom part of a registered clocked out break. So, no, my employer in Florida is not required to give me a paid 15 minutes to go on a break but they are legally required to let me use the restroom.
DisneyPhD
Well-Known Member
Ok, the time it took me to read this thread (3 pages) I had to stop and use the bathroom twice (just kidding only once, I was on the phone too.)
Being a pregnant person who has ben directed to increase water intake the amount of time I need to use the bathroom during the day is just crazy (lets just say far more then 24 and that count's hours sleeping too.) And I am going on a air plane in 3 days too!!! Yicks!
Of course having said that you plan your time out, just like any normal person. I wonder if this situation was one where the CM were "problem makers" to start with or just couldn't agrange there time well. There is a story behind this story.
speck76, don't get me started on "Everyone Poops!" I am currenlty trying to train my 3 year old, but she can't get any potty time, I take it all up!!!!!
Being a pregnant person who has ben directed to increase water intake the amount of time I need to use the bathroom during the day is just crazy (lets just say far more then 24 and that count's hours sleeping too.) And I am going on a air plane in 3 days too!!! Yicks!
Of course having said that you plan your time out, just like any normal person. I wonder if this situation was one where the CM were "problem makers" to start with or just couldn't agrange there time well. There is a story behind this story.
speck76, don't get me started on "Everyone Poops!" I am currenlty trying to train my 3 year old, but she can't get any potty time, I take it all up!!!!!
Pixie Duster
New Member
Well bravo for Maria and Spec, God has blessed you with a good bladder. However, most people need to ______ when they need to ______. If a woman holds it too many times she will have an infection.
It is against the unions' contracts to not allow Disney CMs to go to the bathroom when needed. In Florida we are an open shop state meaning even non union CMs are covered by the Union's policies. In Disney your manager is expected to allow CMs to go to the bathroom whenever needed. They may have to wait 5-10 more minutes but they are supposed to find a way to accomodate the CMs. If you take good care of your CMs, the CMs will take good care of the guests.
To ask a CM to suffer for 2-3 hours while they have to hold it is ridiculous.
It is against the unions' contracts to not allow Disney CMs to go to the bathroom when needed. In Florida we are an open shop state meaning even non union CMs are covered by the Union's policies. In Disney your manager is expected to allow CMs to go to the bathroom whenever needed. They may have to wait 5-10 more minutes but they are supposed to find a way to accomodate the CMs. If you take good care of your CMs, the CMs will take good care of the guests.
To ask a CM to suffer for 2-3 hours while they have to hold it is ridiculous.