Disney Employees are Scared

[EEYOREMAMA]

We just got back from vacation and spoke to several of the hotel and restaurant workers that are now in fear of losing their jobs. It is a real concern for many of them.

I can't believe that Disney thinks the profits should come on the backs of long-time loyal employees. Not right. I am emailing Disney now about their lack of consideration toward their workers and how that will impact their guests down the road.

It makes me sad that people have to be scared for their jobs, just so corporate headquarters can feel good about their profit margin.

 

[Galahad]

What are they citing as a basis to be afraid for their jobs?

 

[mickeyboat]

We just got back from vacation and spoke to several of the hotel and restaurant workers that are now in fear of losing their jobs. It is a real concern for many of them.

I can't believe that Disney thinks the profits should come on the backs of long-time loyal employees. Not right. I am emailing Disney now about their lack of consideration toward their workers and how that will impact their guests down the road.

It makes me sad that people have to be scared for their jobs, just so corporate headquarters can feel good about their profit margin.

Man.... On the one hand I agree with you. Companies just don't seem loyal to their employees anymore. On the other hand, Disney is a business. It was formed to make money. It has a responsibility to its shareholders to make money. Staff reduction is one of the actions that must be taken at times in order to make money. If the same number of people come and spend the same amount of money with fewer cast members, then it is doing just what it is supposed to do. If people stop coming, or start spending less money, they will have to re-hire.

Denae

 

[SwedishMeatball]

That's ashame, but how does this come up in conversation with guests??

 

[Anewman]

From what I can tell, only employees that do not meet Disney standards need to feel "scared" about losing their job.

Here at Disneyland they have a JOB fair every other month, even offering $500 bonus to those that last 6 months. They pay better than walmart even at the lowest level job, was thinking of allowing my daughter her first summer job their.

That's ashame, but how does this come up in conversation with guests??

Exactly, sounds like employees bad mouthing the company to guests. Now I understand why they need to be concerned.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

That's bad--but it is never the place of any employee to be talking of their company to a guest/customer in a negatigive manner no matter how justified their feelings may be. It is what they call unprofessional.



My sister had to deal with this on a NWA flight with an attendant who was being a little too open about her problems with working with the airline. Now--she was very unprofessional in how she handled it.

My sister's hubby was embarrassed she was behaving that way and made sure to report her. I guess the FA wasn't aware that there were fellow employees on the flight.

 

[Hedy]

That's ashame, but how does this come up in conversation with guests??

Agreed. This is not an ok thing to be bringing up to guests.

 

[hlbtimes2]

They could always move to CA. Disneyland is so short handed they'll hire just about anyone just to fill a spot. Food services has been really short on people for a couple of years now. They dont pay enough to attract new employees.

 

[GEM]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks this is an absolutely inappropriate and totally unprofessional thing for CMs to discuss with guests . . .

 

[ducklite]

They could always move to CA. Disneyland is so short handed they'll hire just about anyone just to fill a spot. Food services has been really short on people for a couple of years now. They dont pay enough to attract new employees.

Trust me, they are spending over $2000 a week right here in the Orlando area on radio employment advertising. They are offering $1000+ signing bonuses for several positions, including dancers and character performers!

Anne

 

[Missy1961]

Trust me, they are spending over $2000 a week right here in the Orlando area on radio employment advertising. They are offering $1000+ signing bonuses for several positions, including dancers and character performers!

Anne

That's what I thought I'd heard. I wonder why these employees feel their jobs are in jeopardy. And I agree with all of you, that isn't something to be discussed with guests.

 

[CEDmom]

We just got back from vacation and spoke to several of the hotel and restaurant workers that are now in fear of losing their jobs. It is a real concern for many of them.

I can't believe that Disney thinks the profits should come on the backs of long-time loyal employees. Not right. I am emailing Disney now about their lack of consideration toward their workers and how that will impact their guests down the road.

It makes me sad that people have to be scared for their jobs, just so corporate headquarters can feel good about their profit margin.

I do feel badly for any good worker at risk of losing their job but this kind of thing is happening everywhere. Companies are trying to get by with less and less people to increase profits.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

I guess I'd need more info also because I certainly haven't heard anything to indicate Disney has been planning staff cutbacks.

 

[amy4bruce]

Given the economy and the contemporary focus on profit and success, everybody in the workplace is probably afraid for their jobs. Not a day goes buy when I don't wake up and wonder if today's the day.

I think this might stem from the fact that Disney is outsourcing some of the jobs at a few of the hotels. According to what I read, these are just baggage jobs, and no cast member is in jeopardy. Of course, I could be totally wrong.

 

[Luv'sTink]

When we drove by a building by DTD there was a huge sign that said "NOW HIRING" I thought it was for WDW. I also over heard someone ask a bus driver where you go to apply and he told her that they were always hiring and had job fairs or something like that. I don't know why people would be losing their jobs if they are still hiring.

But hey I could be wrong!

 

[EEYOREMAMA]

I went searching for the link to the story that I was told and found:

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/orange/orl-disneyunion0806dec08,0,2764340.story

While I agree that it was probably not very appropriate to share with guests, I can understand feeling scared and trying to rally support. If Disney is going to start outsourcing bag handlers, I'm not so sure they will have the same control that they maintain now as to who has access to rooms. Yes, the rooms may be cleaned better, but "who" will be cleaning them?

I guess I just have a lot of questions. I know it's a business, I understand it's a business, but it is also more than a business to my family. I guess I hate change and I really don't have a say in it. I'm sure I'll adjust, I'll just be locking my stuff up tighter.

 

[becker1123]

CMs who have enough time to be discussing things like this with guests should be worried ... they obviously aren't putting their all into their job. The way I see it, most jobs now are always somewhat at risk. I've seen people who work hours and hours of overtime putting in extra time for the company get laid off. It's a bummer but it happens. People need to focus their energy on making themselves as employable as possible, then if they are ever laid off, it's easier to find another job.

 

[Mother Jones]

It's stuff like this that will one day cause a revolution of sorts when enough workers are displaced by the greed of these companies. You can't have the workers being tossed cold scraps while the upper management dines on prime rib. People won't stand for this stuff too much longer and it proves the old saying is true.

A capitalist will sell you the very rope that you use to hang him.

The midterm elections were just a start. A change is coming.