WDW Laying off Cast Members

[disneydata]

Many people inside the Company were told that middle-level operations managers (managers that work in the parks, not in office buildings) were all safe. Most of these people were CMs just a few years ago, and they busted their butts to get where they are. NONE of them were offered the Voluntary Severance Package. The vast majority of them are very good, very hard-working people who have worked for Disney their whole lives and have no idea what is going to happen to them next.

This is EXACTLY what we were told. There was even a memo sent out for leaders to reiterate it to cast so the morale didn't drop when the big announcement was made in February. I guess they were just putting off the inevitable.

 

[WDW1974]

Things can be spun in many different directions, and Disney certainly was top heavy.

But the people who need to go, aren't.

And the reality is the folks who have earned their way into positions that directly deal with guests and their needs and concerns are the ones being shown the door ... with those magical security guards walking them out of the building because that's just an extra dose of pixie dust to send them on their (expletive left out) ways.

Of course, you also have layoffs of front-line CMs as well.

Staffing at WDW has been an issue for years, so this ought to continue the trend. Just remember how much luv you have for TDO and their practices when you wait at a quick serve location for 45 minutes because out of 10 registers, they have 2-3 open at 6 p.m.

Oh, and at the same time take a look at the (accurate) threads that show the people are packing the parks in spite of an awful economy.

Just a pi$$ poor way of operating the resort that will guarantee the quality of the product continues to fall.

~Gotta be lean and MEAN!~

 

[jakeman]

Union members are being left alone.

That is unfortunate that cast members without a union are being targeted first.

In a perfectly fair world, it would be based on job performance, not union afflilation.

 

[GymLeaderPhil]

News 13 spoke with Disney who said cast members are being treated with respect and would not comment on security.

That's because they're being given a respectable ride on a brand spankin' new balloon and securely pushed off mid flight into Lake Buena Vista in order to reduce overhead costs.

 

[hrcollectibles]

This was just posted @ Orlando Channel13 http://www.cfnews13.com/Business/Lo.../3/24/layoffs_begin_at_walt_disney_world.html Could any CM"S give us specifics as to numbers of people effected & at what levels? Were those cut CM's just notified yesterday? Thanks! Duckberg :lookaroun

I think those were the ones that did not take the package Disney offered.. Not front line cast members, but management types.

 

[disneydata]

I think those were the ones that did not take the package Disney offered.. Not front line cast members, but management types.

Nope, those were already let go. These are managers who were not offered the separation package and were just terminated.

 

[hrcollectibles]

Nope, those were already let go. These are managers who were not offered the separation package and were just terminated.

That stinks... I am sorry to hear about all of these job losses.. Anyone know what was included in the packages they offered prior to all these lay offs.

 

[Duckberg]

For the initiated, here is some info that seems to be lacking on these boards. For the purposes of my explanation let me offer an admittedly oversimplified classification of Cast Members.

1. Executives – Their titles are Director, Vice President, Senior VP, Executive VP, Etc. These people make $100,000+ per year.

2. Middle Management – Their titles are Manager, Guest Service Manager, Operations Manager, Etc. They make between $30,000 and $100,000 per year and are mostly former hourly CMs that worked their way up.

3. Hourly Cast Member- You know who these guys and gals are.

Only executives were offered the buyout package, which they had to accept by Feb. 6th. A small number of them took the package. After Feb 6th, a few were laid off but not many. Phil Holms keeps his job. Most of the decision-makers stay right where they are.

What we are seeing now are lay-offs of middle-level managers. Many people inside the Company were told that middle-level operations managers (managers that work in the parks, not in office buildings) were all safe. Most of these people were CMs just a few years ago, and they busted their butts to get where they are. NONE of them were offered the Voluntary Severance Package. The vast majority of them are very good, very hard-working people who have worked for Disney their whole lives and have no idea what is going to happen to them next.

Most of the hourly Cast Members are very sorry to see them go. And many of the hourly CMs are now asking, “Why work hard for this company? Even if you get promoted to manager the Company doesn’t care about you.” To say morale is low, is quite an understatement.

First WELCOME Orange Bird,second GOOD post. Question, when do you think the layoffs will come down to CM's who serve under these managers & sub-managers etc. now being terminated???? Duckberg

 

[EpcotCenter82]

From today's Orlando Sentinel:

Disney master sommelier is leaving - posted by Steven Ford on Mar 25, 2009 6:39:22 PM

More names have surfaced in the recent layoffs at Walt Disney World. Evidently, master sommelier John Blazon, who has been with Disney 13 years, and Rosemary Rose, vice president of food and beverage and merchandise, are leaving.

 

[Leslie]

Are they about done or have they just started?:veryconfu

 

[Orange Bird]

Question, when do you think the layoffs will come down to CM's who serve under these managers & sub-managers etc. now being terminated???? Duckberg

No idea. Just a few weeks ago Executives were insisting that Guest Service Managers would not be laid off, and this week dozens were laid off. There is no job security at all. No one knows what to believe anymore.

 

[prberk]

No idea. Just a few weeks ago Executives were insisting that Guest Service Managers would not be laid off, and this week dozens were laid off. There is no job security at all. No one knows what to believe anymore.

This is very sad, and a bad idea at best for getting others to work hard to make their way up. Al Weiss ought to know about this feeling...

Paul

 

[VillanovaBlue]

Nope, those were already let go. These are managers who were not offered the separation package and were just terminated.

Do we really know that these folks didn't get some sort of severance? Most corporations who do layoffs like this give some sort of package (maybe a month's pay, etc., sometimes more based on tenure)...

You state they were "just terminated", but they may have still gotten something to help them along for a short time while they try to find a new job.

 

[RiversideBunny]

The real point is that a lot of hard working people got the shaft for all their hard work.

 

[epcotWSC]

That is unfortunate that cast members without a union are being targeted first.

In a perfectly fair world, it would be based on job performance, not union afflilation.

It's much easier and cheaper to lay off someone who doesn't have a union affiliation than someone who does.

 

[pheneix]

More names have surfaced in the recent layoffs at Walt Disney World. Evidently, master sommelier John Blazon, who has been with Disney 13 years, and Rosemary Rose, vice president of food and beverage and merchandise, are leaving.

This is a good thing as far as Rosemary Rose is concerned. Pretty much every complaint about how bad food and beverage is in Florida can be placed at her doorstep.

 

[VillanovaBlue]

The real point is that a lot of hard working people got the shaft for all their hard work.

Usually in these situations its because they weren't quite working hard enough...layoffs aren't arbitrary...they are in part based on performance...

I'm not trying to bash these poor folks, I have been in their shoes...and I have also realized that maybe, just maybe, there were things I could have done to avoid the chopping block...

That said, it's never good when folks are losing jobs more often than getting them or keeping them...

 

[DMC-12]

Usually in these situations its because they weren't quite working hard enough...layoffs aren't arbitrary...they are in part based on performance...

I disagree... all of the times I have been laid off have been arbitrary... and have had nothing to do with me or my teams stellar performance.

 

[Hook's Girl]

Do we really know that these folks didn't get some sort of severance? Most corporations who do layoffs like this give some sort of package (maybe a month's pay, etc., sometimes more based on tenure)...

You state they were "just terminated", but they may have still gotten something to help them along for a short time while they try to find a new job.

Managers are being given a severance package of two months worth of pay, along with two months worth of health benefits. Supposedly they will still have park admission, but they aren't likely to use it at this point.

 

[Enderikari]

My sister found out today that, though she's currently doing the jobs of three laid off CMs in addition to her own, she's safe for now. A good friend of the family wasn't so lucky, however the loss of his job has motivated him to move on and follow his dream of moving to New York.

You and I know the same people. There are a lot of sad stories going around. And some of my closest friends are now drawing unemployment. Nobody ever wants to be laid off, especially not in these economic times, but the only thing to do is put a smile on your face, look to the future and Keep Moving Forward.

Remember what Walt Disney said, "All the adversity I've had in my life, all my troubles and obstacles, have strengthened me... You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you."