Low Pay Buys Poor Quality in Theme Park Employees

[Pixie Duster]

I agree entirely.

If you're gonna pay someone enough money to STILL qualify for government assistance, at least treat them with respect.

There is so much I could say to that, but I won't...

 

[TURKEY]

There is so much I could say to that, but I won't...

You post how you could say something, yet don't. What's the point of the posting then?

 

[shello1113]

That is a good thought, I think I'll just have to try that this year!

Thanks

 

[symbasys]

I think that if you pay an employee a living wage, give them a chance of advancement, and recognize and reward them for doing a good job, then they will be much happier and much more productive. The corporate climate seems to be to pay as little as legally possible, cut back on benefits, give little chance of promotion, and browbeat employees to do more, more, more. A friend of mine works for Wal-Mart, and has been there for quite a while. He makes OK money, and the benefits are pretty good. But members of management are constantly riding him and others in similar positions (he's a department manager.) They almost never give anyone props for a job well done, or offer any kind of incentives. Instead, employees are constantly reminded that they are easily replaced. Because of this, most of them put forth very little extra effort. Sure they do their jobs, but don't usually go the extra mile. The result? A mediocre-at-best customer experience. This only feeds the circle of negativity, and employees are pressured to produce more to make up for the consequences of customer dissatisfaction. Who know where it will end? No real change will happen until upper management realizes that employees are people and deserve to be treated as such, not like machines that can be cranked up to increase production.

 

[monorailmike]

I think that if you pay an employee a living wage, give them a chance of advancement, and recognize and reward them for doing a good job, then they will be much happier and much more productive. The corporate climate seems to be to pay as little as legally possible, cut back on benefits, give little chance of promotion, and browbeat employees to do more, more, more. A friend of mine works for Wal-Mart, and has been there for quite a while. He makes OK money, and the benefits are pretty good. But members of management are constantly riding him and others in similar positions (he's a department manager.) They almost never give anyone props for a job well done, or offer any kind of incentives. Instead, employees are constantly reminded that they are easily replaced. Because of this, most of them put forth very little extra effort. Sure they do their jobs, but don't usually go the extra mile. The result? A mediocre-at-best customer experience. This only feeds the circle of negativity, and employees are pressured to produce more to make up for the consequences of customer dissatisfaction. Who know where it will end? No real change will happen until upper management realizes that employees are people and deserve to be treated as such, not like machines that can be cranked up to increase production.

This is the same thing that happened to me in the corporate world as an engineer. All I can say is I am fortunate to have gotten a new position recently. There were many great points in this thread. Espescially about how the aditude exists in some people that they can go right on to the next job/theme park should they be fired. So they don't bother to put their all in their work. I have been saying this about Disney's push to fire full timers with benifits and replace them with part timers just to save money. The part time workers have no motivation to give the best service possible. In the end it will only hurt Disney.

 

[DisneyWood]

Very well said

I'm going to take offense to this one, even if it wasn't meant to be that way. I'm going to be honest and I don't care how anyone takes this, but please listen to me first before you make a generalization about me as well. My family comes is what everyone would call "filthy rich." I hate talking about it because of the reason stated by se8472, that rich people are rude. That's way too general of a comment. My family's income is in the 7+ figures and if you knew my family, you'd see we are the most down to earth people you'd ever meet. We don't fluant our money or go and spend it and show it off. We stay on the down low with what we buy. Sure, we have a lot of things that most dream of having, but that doesn't make me nor my family rude. My dad could care less about his pay. He came from a really poor family and worked his way through college on his own income and has worked extremely hard for what he has now. Yeah, we have a large house, we all have our own nice cars, boat, 4-wheelers etc, but that means nothing. It's materials, not happiness. When we vacation, we don't stay at the GF or deluxe resorts because we feel no need to.

So, please don't assume ALL rich people are rude, because we aren't. Now, I'll just sit back and await my negative rep. points. [/rant]

Very well said. I wouldn't have thought that you come from a filthy rich family based on most of your replies. Now, I realize I only know you from this website, but for some reason I pictured you as someone right out of college working his way up the corporate ladder. I don't think that you should take it personal at all. Knowing what I know now, do you need a new cross-country best friend? :lol:

I work with a lot of wealth individuals/families. I don't think I work with any rude people, but I do think everyone has there moments, no matter how much they make or have in the bank. I do notice, however, that wealthy (or successful) individuals do carry an aura with them. They command respect for what they have achieved. Is that arrogance? Maybe, but that doesn't bother me at all. I don't mind recognizing another persons achievements. I don't dwell on it though, but people like to be recognized for their hard work and accomplishments.

As for the children of wealthy parents, I do think they tend to be worse, for the most part. They have the mentality of expecting from others, when they should do for themselves. That attitude is what drives me crazy. It comes back to the parenting or upbringing, if you ask me. The attitude of entitlement really gets under my skin. IMO, I think the children have the attitude of being a little better than others. Maybe the reason is that they were born into it, and never saw their parents struggle to get where they are.. I don't really know. Maybe their parents should force them to find a summer job..

Don't get me wrong, our family is extremely blessed and fortunate, but are far from filthy rich..and that is okay.

44 days to go :sohappy: :sohappy:

 

[mkt]

There is so much I could say to that, but I won't...

why, cause I hit the nail on the head and there's no arguing with that? Say it and stop bluffing.

 

[WDWScottieBoy]

Very well said. I wouldn't have thought that you come from a filthy rich family based on most of your replies. Now, I realize I only know you from this website, but for some reason I pictured you as someone right out of college working his way up the corporate ladder. I don't think that you should take it personal at all. Knowing what I know now, do you need a new cross-country best friend? :lol:

Most everyone would agree with you that they too would think that I'm right out of college and struggling through with everything. I'm actually just a second semester freshman (I graduated high school early) in college. I'm glad someone can agree with what I have said and that I'm not being flamed for my comments. I think one reason I'm not like most wealthy parent's children is that I realize what my dad had to work through to get where he is. I know that life isn't fair and you don't get everything you want. He sure never got much of anything he wanted growing up. I feel the same way myself, I don't want my parents to go and buy me everything, I took the responsibility on myself to get my own job and pay for the things I want in life myself. Sure, they help me out a lot, but if there's something I really want and it's expensive, I'm going to pay for it myself. My brothers on the other hand, take my parents for granted and would rather live off of them the rest of their life. That's just not how I want to grow up, I want to earn my millions on my own, not with the help of others.

 

[HauntedPirate]

Someone once told me, "Any job worth doing is worth doing well." And that was when I was making $4.00/hr. You are part of a greater puzzle, and every piece has it's place. If you don't do your part, then the whole suffers, whether you see it or not.

 

[DisneyWood]

I feel the same way myself, I don't want my parents to go and buy me everything, I took the responsibility on myself to get my own job and pay for the things I want in life myself. Sure, they help me out a lot, but if there's something I really want and it's expensive, I'm going to pay for it myself. My brothers on the other hand, take my parents for granted and would rather live off of them the rest of their life. That's just not how I want to grow up, I want to earn my millions on my own, not with the help of others.

Hey, I do agree. I am mostly on my own, but unlike you, I am out of college. My parents enjoy getting things for my house, children, etc. I by no means expect it. Parents often do things for their children b/c they want too and they typically have the resources to do so. I respect that you want to buy things you want yourself, especially if the items are expensive. I know that when I was in college, I didn't want to do to much, until my parents decided to lay the wood and light that fire under my hind-end :hammer: .

You are the exception my friend, not the rule. Like you said, your siblings are content living off of your fathers hard work. Not that your parents won't allow that, but I am sure that your parents expect more, and that is what is unfortunate.

My parents have an extremely comfortable life, but that wasn't handed to them as well. My father had to put in countless hours to build his business to what it is today. I would like to see him reward himself and not my family. It is time for him to get things he always wanted, not the children anymore. It is the children that never leave the home, or get off the parents payroll, b/c of laziness or their attitude of entitlement, that drives me insane.

My 2 cents. Good luck in school. Where do you attend? My alma mater plays this weekend vs. Bowling Green (Univ. of Oklahoma-'96).

 

[DisneyWood]

great in theory

Someone once told me, "Any job worth doing is worth doing well." And that was when I was making $4.00/hr. You are part of a greater puzzle, and every piece has it's place. If you don't do your part, then the whole suffers, whether you see it or not.

That is a great saying. However, today's workforce doesn't seem to care that they are a piece of a big puzzle. Maybe it is b/c they feel unappreciated, under paid, no career advancement, management stinks, etc, is the reason people do not take a more active role with their job. Can this attitude be changed? Sure. But I think that it will take a committment from the upper management, shareholders, board of directors and anyone else that I may be forgetting. If the aura of corporate greed would go away, and more money (in the form of benefits or cash) is funnelled to the hourly worker, things would definitely get better.

How can someone continuely do their job at minimum wage, when they do not get an annual raise, any positive reinforcement by management and they see the size of the CEO's annual bonus package? The minimum wage worker feels like a minute piece of the puzzle and that what he does really has no effect on the overall picture.

I think that the hourly employee plays a much bigger role than they realize. IThey have more of an effect @ Disney World b/c they constantly come in contact with guest. They are in the unique position to make the guests stay more enjoyable, depending on their performance and attitude. Does that mean each should make at least $30k? Of course not. It does mean, IMO, that each should get some type of performance bonus (at least quarterly). I don't know how this would be measured, but it seems to me they could figure it out pretty easilty. And by the way, the bonus can come in the form of free week stay @Grand Floridian or any other Disney Resort, Cruise, or anything else Disney owns and would be of low cost to them. To me, that would be an excellent bonus program. Sign me up...

44 days in counting (I think) :sohappy: :sohappy:

 

[WDWScottieBoy]

My 2 cents. Good luck in school. Where do you attend? My alma mater plays this weekend vs. Bowling Green (Univ. of Oklahoma-'96).

I'm going to another community college right now (one during high school and now this one). I was going to transfer to Florida Gulf Coast University this semester but didn't want to leave my girlfriend behind and my family didn't want me to leave yet. I'm planning on moving to FL in this coming Spring and getting a house/condo in Celebration. I'll probably finish school at Univeristy of Central Florida (Orlando) or FGCU. I'm going into Business Administration with an emphasis in Management and also a major in Resort Management. I'm going to get my Ph.D. in the Business Management hoping that it will help me move up the Disney company ladder.

 

[DisneyWood]

I'm going into Business Administration with an emphasis in Management and also a major in Resort Management. I'm going to get my Ph.D. in the Business Management hoping that it will help me move up the Disney company ladder.

It sounds like I am going to have to keep your name in the back of my head for future discounts in the deluxe resorts, after you have climbed the corporate ladder. :sohappy:

I got my MBA a few years ago, and was thinking about going after a PHd shortly afterwards. Then, I got married and had a few children. Do it before you start a family. It gets difficult to find the time to study, etc. Next thing you know, you have no idea where the time went before a big test and presto : .

 

[HauntedPirate]

I'm going to get my Ph.D. in the Business Management hoping that it will help me move up the Disney company ladder.

Don't forget us "little people" when you make it up that ladder. :animwink: :lol:

 

[WDWScottieBoy]

Don't forget us "little people" when you make it up that ladder. :animwink: :lol:

Don't worry. When I become an exec at the company, I'm keeping the guests #1. I'd be online all the time reading things like this board and listen to what they say. You won't be "little people" to me. You'll be the ones with the say at the parks and company, not me. And I'll remember all of you on here first when I need something. I don't think the famous should forget about the public. I don't feel like they are anything more, I'd stay on this site even if I was CEO and speak with everyone.

 

[DisneyWood]

Future CEO or Chairman

Don't worry. When I become an exec at the company, I'm keeping the guests #1. I'd be online all the time reading things like this board and listen to what they say. You won't be "little people" to me. You'll be the ones with the say at the parks and company, not me. And I'll remember all of you on here first when I need something. I don't think the famous should forget about the public. I don't feel like they are anything more, I'd stay on this site even if I was CEO and speak with everyone.

Hurry up and graduate!! This is what Disney has been lacking. Someone who listens to the public, not just major shareholders or board of directors..

Sounds like a great plan to me.. I may be sending you my resume in the future.. :wave:

 

[webmomom]

I don't know if that was our family or not, but that is what we do also. If we are going at a holiday time, the cards have some holiday theme to it. I also have the date of our vacation on them. I will also take their names and send an email to disney about what they had done to make them so special to us on our vacation.

On the other topic, there are so many companie out there that pay low wages and except great service from their employees. The problem is we as consumers don't complain enough. If they were getting complaints all of the time about their employees not doing their jobs maybe they would look into it. Another one is we all complain about the level of the help these days, but we keep shopping or going there. If they are so bad, stop going and shopping or whatever. They play on the fact that most people will complain about something, but will not do anything about it afterwards, like not shopping there. It is like a game of numbers. Out of 100 only % will do it, and then only a certain number will continue, and so on and so on.