Interesting story about Disney layoffs in Jan.

[FryingPansWhoKnew]

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/la...-disney-train-foreign-replacements/ar-BBkE3Ud

These kind of stories catch my eye mainly because I work in this very field. While I tend to take pause when I read articles like this to make sure I extract the "news" from any perceived slant, I can't help but initially feel bitter about this. These are stories that we hear are happening industry-wide, so it's not coming out of nowhere.

I just renewed our AP's, but if this turns out to be true, I wonder what my involvement will be going forward.

 

[clanmcculloch]

I'm also in this field and actually considered applying for a couple jobs which looked like they were written based on my resume a couple years ago. I didn't because the Disney IT department even then didn't have a great reputation. After watching the technical rollout of the MDE and FP+ and MB rollout at WDW all I could think was that a lot of people should be fired as I breathed a sigh of relief that I didn't apply. Some of the mistakes that were made were glaringly obvious even from the outside. Right now I'd be ashamed to admit having worked for Disney Parks IT anytime in the past 10 years as even before MDE they couldn't get any of their websites or reservation systems working well.

 

[FryingPansWhoKnew]

I'm also in this field

So then you know this isn't the first story like this that's out there. It's a disturbing trend, and it's disturbing to think that Disney is doing this also.

 

[DizMe]

So then you know this isn't the first story like this that's out there. It's a disturbing trend, and it's disturbing to think that Disney is doing this also.

Agree completely. I hope you don't have to worry about your job

 

[clanmcculloch]

I've seen a lot of it. If you're in this field it's a fact of life. Anybody in this field who doesn't have a backup plan is either naive or foolish.

 

[bumbershoot]

Slight issue. A ton of the Disney IT is done here in Seattle. We know two people who work there in higherup positions and at least one person who was trying for an overworked UNDERpaid intern position. So...not sure who was getting laid off in Orlando or where the overseas people were going. Wonder if the "overseas" people were actually in Seattle and the Orlando reps were confused? Most of DH's coworkers are from overseas, but live and work here.

And being in the IT field, being in any field that isn't right in front of customers, it's a terrific business decision to try for the lower-cost places. I helped to train a group of CS people in WV, that ultimately led to the closure of our Tacoma CS center. Some Tacoma CS moved east to Kennewick WA, which is cheaper than the Seattle area. DH's second time through with amazon (he was part of the all-CS-in-Seattle layoffs in 2001) came to an end when they decided to move the department to Grand Forks, ND. Much cheaper there for the company. Heck, I myself was a cheap outsource employee answering after-hours emails for amazon.co.uk, because it was cheaper to pay me than it was to give overtime to the UK reps! It's all good business decisions; as long as they hire people who know what they are doing.

Alas, I think Disney hires people who know how to do what they do; they just have bad higherups (I've got to talk with our friends soon, perhaps throw tomatoes at them) making awful decisions. Like making changes on a LIVE website. Why why why?

 

[GoBears 1980]

Your anger is directed at the wrong people. If Disney can accomplish the same job for lower cost, why wouldn't they do it?

If you want to be mad at someone, be mad at the Congressmen who created this situation with immigration law changes. Hammer on them to close the loopholes that make such a move possible.

 

[FryingPansWhoKnew]

Your anger is directed at the wrong people. If Disney can accomplish the same job for lower cost, why wouldn't they do it?

I'm afraid I disagree on a number of things. First off, I'm not "angry". Second, I believe the job is not the same quality so not the "same job". Lastly, I feel it is fair to hold both accountable. The law is being exploited. The rule-maker as well as the rule-exploiter are both responsible.

I feel this trending into a political debate and such I'm regretful for bringing this up. I'm content to let it drop.

 

[Kingdome8]

Your anger is directed at the wrong people. If Disney can accomplish the same job for lower cost, why wouldn't they do it?

If you want to be mad at someone, be mad at the Congressmen who created this situation with immigration law changes. Hammer on them to close the loopholes that make such a move possible.

100 % correct.

 

[GoBears 1980]

I'm afraid I disagree on a number of things. First off, I'm not "angry". Second, I believe the job is not the same quality so not the "same job". Lastly, I feel it is fair to hold both accountable. The law is being exploited. The rule-maker as well as the rule-exploiter are both responsible.

I feel this trending into a political debate and such I'm regretful for bringing this up. I'm content to let it drop.

But not until after you've had your say?

How do you know what quality of work is or is not being done at TWDC IT?

 

[DizMe]

OP has said he/she doesn't wish this to turn into a political debate, so it would be wise not to keep trying to stir the pot. That will only result in board reprimands.

 

[FryingPansWhoKnew]

But not until after you've had your say?

How do you know what quality of work is or is not being done at TWDC IT?

If we steer clear of politics I can respond quite easily to this. I don't know quality of work, neither do you. You postulated the point. I'm simply challenging that supposition as I don't believe it's a given like you've suggested.

The bolded part is inflammatory for no reason. You can continue to act that way if you choose, but might I suggest a more reasonable approach next time.

 

[Gisele]

Like maaaan....what are we talking about exactly anyway now? Lmao man....

 

[MillauFr]

Your anger is directed at the wrong people. If Disney can accomplish the same job for lower cost, why wouldn't they do it?

If you want to be mad at someone, be mad at the Congressmen who created this situation with immigration law changes. Hammer on them to close the loopholes that make such a move possible.

And thanks to Disney the loophole will soon be ended. Doubt if this one will blow over quickly. Laying off a whole department? That just strikes me as low and mean spirited. Disney could have easily avoided this mess if they would have just contracted out IT to Amazon and reassigned their own IT workers.

 

[VandVsmama]

Disney has a bit of a history of doing this. About 10 years ago, Disney contracted out its IT operation to IBM and that didn't go very well. Usually about a year after an outsourcing agreement is signed, IBM takes their customer's IT workers (who were transitioned over from Disney IT workers) and lays them off after 6 months to a year after the outsourcing agreement starts. And when that occurs, IBM uses resources overseas to replace them.

I know this because I used to work for IBM. This is standard practice. So Disney essentially already tried a variation of this. It is really unfortunate and it really stinks for all of those employees. Like them, I was laid off once, too, because my job was given to a foreign worker and I was asked to train my foreign replacement.

 

[maltdizzy]

Your anger is directed at the wrong people. If Disney can accomplish the same job for lower cost, why wouldn't they do it?

If you want to be mad at someone, be mad at the Congressmen who created this situation with immigration law changes. Hammer on them to close the loopholes that make such a move possible.

I take issue with the abuse of the H-1B visas because this will become a political nightmare. The visa are supposed to supplement the U.S. workforce, not displace it. Companies lobby all the time for more H-1B visas because they want staff up and often there isn't enough immediate skilled U.S. workforce to fill the positions (I would prefer to train in the U.S. for long-term solution, no one asks me). People can discuss money all they want, and is a factor, but H-1B visas are not the same as off-shoring, and have set regulations to qualify.

But now a subcontractor is using 250 H-1B visas to layoff a entire staff of already-trained U.S. workers? This will end up before a committee sub-hearing, I guarantee.

That said, the current industry IT services standard is to do 70% of the work overseas, with a long-term goal of 90%.

 

[nikkislaght]

Disney has a bit of a history of doing this. About 10 years ago, Disney contracted out its IT operation to IBM and that didn't go very well. Usually about a year after an outsourcing agreement is signed, IBM takes their customer's IT workers (who were transitioned over from Disney IT workers) and lays them off after 6 months to a year after the outsourcing agreement starts. And when that occurs, IBM uses resources overseas to replace them.

I know this because I used to work for IBM. This is standard practice. So Disney essentially already tried a variation of this. It is really unfortunate and it really stinks for all of those employees. Like them, I was laid off once, too, because my job was given to a foreign worker and I was asked to train my foreign replacement.

My cousin was sent to Manila to train her replacements.. at least she got a flight out of it right??

 

[Gisele]

I take issue with the abuse of the H-1B visas because this will become a political nightmare. The visa are supposed to supplement the U.S. workforce, not displace it. Companies, mine included, lobby all the time for more H-1B visas because we need to be able to staff up and often there isn't enough skilled U.S. workforce to fill the positions (I would prefer to train in the U.S. for long-term solution, no one asks me). People can discuss money all they want, and is a factor, but H-1B visas are not the same as off-shoring, and have set regulations to qualify.

But now a subcontractor is using 250 H-1B visas to layoff a entire staff of already-trained U.S. workers? This will end up before a committee sub-hearing, I guarantee.

That said, the current industry IT services standard is to do 70% of the work overseas, with a long-term goal of 90%.

That just all sounds so horrible! And so sorry that you were laid off.

 

[Gisele]

My cousin was sent to Manila to train her replacements.. at least she got a flight out of it right??

Just terrible!
I hope she was able to obtain a really good job as soon as possible.

 

[maltdizzy]

That just all sounds so horrible! And so sorry that you were laid off.

I've been laid off many times, usually as companies fell into bankruptcy. But my view above is from a company where I still work. Thankfully, my job has never gone overseas...though many relatives have dealt with that, including traveling to train the replacements. Some people think, "**** that, I would quit," but quitting makes it harder to qualify for unemployment, and there is sometimes a retention bonus to stay and train.