Originally Posted By AutoPost This topic is for Discussion of <a href="http://www.LaughingPlace.com/Latest.asp?I1=ID&I2=3830" target="_blank"><b>Latest: Layoffs at Walt Disney World</b></a> <p>Screamscape.com is reporting layoffs at Walt Disney World are continuing. An excerpt...</p> <p style="padding-left: 30px;"><i><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif">In other news, we’ve heard from a Cast Member that staff layoffs have begun this week. While the upper levels of management being let go (voluntary or involuntary) are doing so with “handsome” retirement packages, the rest of the resorts staff are being told that nothing like that will be offered to any of the lower tiers, as they are now looking to weed out the poor performers. “<span>I saw at least ten people walked out today that I know, and none of them were poor performers. Some of them were among the best I have worked with - Partner's In Excellence recipients, highly rated performers, and some that were recently promoted.</span>”</font></i></p> <p><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.screamscape.com/html/walt_disney_world_resort.htm">Click here</a> to read more on ScreamScape.com</font></p> <p><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><br /></font></p> <p> </p>
Originally Posted By -em and the high execs also are getting a $$$ party to go along with their checks... I know of 6 groups that have gotten hit pretty good and several more to come, but its not just poor performance. Most are getting hit because they were simply in the wrong place (job title) at the wrong time (location)... -em
Originally Posted By fkurucz So no severance at all for the little people? Nice. I also like that they were "walked out", which implies that a security guard hovered over them while they cleaned out their desk, etc. and marched them straight out the door. Another nice touch. The only time I have ever been laid off I was completely trusted and was able to clean out my desk and say goodbye to my colleagues at my leisure. I was laid off on a Monday and in addition to the 5 months of severance I was given I was also paid thru Friday, but not required to come in to get paid for those 4 days. And I was a lowly "individual contributor" and not some swanky executive. Then again, I didn't work at Disney.
Originally Posted By MPierce Disney is a class act. I sure wish I could work where the Magic surrounds me every day. Although it might be uncomfortable walking around with the pixie dust collecting in my underwear.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 ^^Oh, come on Pierce. You actually didn't believe Disney cared about its people ... or any people for that matter, did you? ~I love pixie dust in my undies!~
Originally Posted By MPierce I believe the only thing Disney cares about is money, and how they can obtain it with the least amount of hassle to them! ~ Always remember that Magic is just an illusion ~
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<I believe the only thing Disney cares about is money, and how they can obtain it with the least amount of hassle to them!>> I believe you are correct. ~But real magic does exist ... in the smile of a child, the joy of a puppy, the purity of a raindrop ... and in all kinds of spirits!~
Originally Posted By MPierce >> ~But real magic does exist ... in the smile of a child, the joy of a puppy, the purity of a raindrop ... and in all kinds of spirits!~ << I didn't know you wrote specialty cards for Hallmark on the side!
Originally Posted By skinnerbox According to the article, remaining park managers are expected to work six days a week through spring break. How thoroughly insightful of Disney to let cast members go during a period of increased attendance. I believe Spirit called it accurately with regard to reduced spending. Folks are showing up but not opening their wallets as much. So cast members are cut in order to make up the difference. Guess this explains Goldman Sach's recent downgrade of DIS stock to neutral. Disney must know that leaner times are on the horizon, and cast member layoffs are simply a preemptive strike.
Originally Posted By MPierce I wonder if they ever thought about a 30% cut above the board on executive salries that exceed $200,000, 15% for the 199K to 100K crowd. Freezing salaries of all managers below 100k, and the big one.... no bonuses for anyone. For those that don't understand this in Disney management read what follows. You need the CM's to run your parks unless you guys want to give it a shot.
Originally Posted By danyoung >So no severance at all for the little people? Nice. I also like that they were "walked out", which implies that a security guard hovered over them while they cleaned out their desk, etc. and marched them straight out the door.< Actually, neither of these is anything all that unusual for a large company. I've had the escorted treatment on a job that I resigned from. As soon as I put in my 2 week notice I was immediately escorted out, no chance to make the rounds, pretty danged rude, I thought at the time. But many companies just don't want to give people that one last chance of poisoning the work force with their diatribes, especially if they've been fired or laid off. And I've rarely heard of any kind of severance for hourly workers. When the time comes, you go home and that's the end of your pay. Sad, but not that odd for Disney.
Originally Posted By fkurucz I was laid off from a large multi-national in 2001 (and for some deranged reason came back later). Even today, with our "profits at any cost" management we don't have a rent-a-thug walk people out the door. Our severance is much worse than in 2001, but the little people still get something. Now if someone quits to work for a competitor they will get paid for the two weeks notice but that day will be their last. Even then we don't use rent-a-thugs to escort them out the door.
Originally Posted By Doobie Thought this article was an interesting article about one of the layoffs. <a href="http://www.scottjosephorlando.com/food_drink_other_stuff/2009/03/master-sommelier-john-blazon-among-those-in-walt-disney-world-layoffs-vp-rosemary-rose-gone-too.html" target="_blank">http://www.scottjosephorlando....too.html</a> Doobie.
Originally Posted By -em Didn't know Rosemary was going/gone.. I do agree this will be a different company coming out of this layoff round.. Though the verdict is still out on wether that is a good thing or not...
Originally Posted By sjhym33 I believe that those who have been laid off have received some severance. I think the Screamscape reports refers to the fact that those being let go now are not being offered as good as a package as those who left voluntarily earlier this year. Also, the CM's being let go this week are at a lower level of mgmt than the ones offered buy outs earlier. Having said that...a good friend was let go yesterday after 22 years at the Mouse. Very sad. A good guy, a decent supervisor. He was in a dept that I think Disney thought wasn't that important.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<I didn't know you wrote specialty cards for Hallmark on the side!>> Great!!! Thanks. You outed me. I hope you are happy. I'm probably going to lose the job now, be escorted out of the building by some rent-a-cop thug and have to go back to writing fortunes for cookies! ~You have unique talents and knowledge that intimidates those with power ... oops, that was my own fortune ... sorry!~
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<According to the article, remaining park managers are expected to work six days a week through spring break. How thoroughly insightful of Disney to let cast members go during a period of increased attendance.>> Yeah. Funny how as they rush to add back all the hours they cut in a kneejerk conservative move due to the depression the parks are packed anyway. So make sure you remember that love you have for Al, Meg, Erin and WDW's exec 'leadership' team when you show up for that $12 burger, fries and Coke quick serve meal at 6 p.m. to find 10 registers and only 2-3 CMs working. Also, understand the folks getting axed are the ones playing the biggest roles in the daily operation a guest experiences. So watch that WDW quality continue to fall while the PR hacks (as well as Bob and Jay) continue to spin/lie about how quality remains the top focus. But don't worry about the execs. I am sure the new Escalades came in a wide variety of colors. Is Phil's red? <<I believe Spirit called it accurately with regard to reduced spending. Folks are showing up but not opening their wallets as much. So cast members are cut in order to make up the difference.>> Yeah. It's a chess game where everyone (but the top execs) loses. <<Guess this explains Goldman Sach's recent downgrade of DIS stock to neutral. Disney must know that leaner times are on the horizon, and cast member layoffs are simply a preemptive strike.>> I wonder if anyone at the top even has the remotest clue about the quality and value they offer guests these days. Nah, I know the answer. ~Layoffs at Disney come with a dose of pixie dust as you are escorted out the door!~
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<I wonder if they ever thought about a 30% cut above the board on executive salries that exceed $200,000, 15% for the 199K to 100K crowd. Freezing salaries of all managers below 100k, and the big one.... no bonuses for anyone.>> I don't. Exec compensation at Disney, like almost every single major American company, is off the table as an issue. It's akin to buring a flag ... just a taboo that no one will touch. It's the proverbial 800-pound gorilla in the room that everyone wants to ignore. Funny how capitalism seems to fail miserably when it comes to treating management in the same universe as regular employees. ~Inoverherheadmeg isn't taking no cut!~
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<I do agree this will be a different company coming out of this layoff round.. Though the verdict is still out on wether that is a good thing or not...>> I just look at the same old tired faces in the top exec slots and that tells me all I need to know about the direction of WDW. Al Weiss still in power. Meg Crofton still a figurehead Prez to trot out out with a speech written by someone in PR at openings and charity events. Erin Wallace still holding a vice grip on day to day resort ops. Phil Holmes and Val Bunting still running two parks (into the ground?) Lee Cockerell Jr. running Epcot. I see nothing to indicate a change of direction except more quality oldtimers that have been in lower or middle management will be replaced by people with far less pride in the jobs, far less attatchment to Disney and the Disney Legacy. ~Will the last one who cares about Walt turn the lights off on the way out!~
Originally Posted By A Happy Haunt <<~Will the last one who cares about Walt turn the lights off on the way out!~>> I'll get it!! This whole subject just made me extremely sad & depressed
