New Layoffs?

[cruisedad]

Now that the new profit numbers are out, has anyone heard of anymore layoffs at Disney (WDW)? A good friend was thinking of applying there but now isn't too sure about it.

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

Last quarter Disney had a general layoff first. Then then went cost-center by cost center for additional cuts. I believe ABC was first - and it was vicious and without warning.....elminating "dead wood". Dead Wood my patoot! Layoffs were not limited to "middle management" as Disney wanted everyone to believe. Read some of the threads that were here the last 3 months....management to central reservations.

The only rumor DH said was circulating was that at WDW hourly workers were having hours reduced to below 32 hours (part time vs full time = no benefits). As I said - before some people get out their flame throwers again - this is the only rumor DH has heard so far.

I cannot imagine Disney will allow things to just .... slide with a 46% overall profit loss. They can't maintain that business model for long. If you are a current castmember....you are probably looking over your shoulder again.

I suppose it depends on what your friend would like to do....work in the parks or go into Management.

My advice - it can never hurt to ask/apply. Just remember, last hired is often first fired.

Nothing is easy in the corporate world right now...but it is a challenging time to be a castmember according to my DH.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Just remember, last hired is often first fired.

True in Union shops, but on the salary/non-union - usually its highest paid, longest term who have hit their max position in salary ranges. In short the people who are priced above market for their position.

As for future of layoffs, possilbly, most companies are looking at all options, but companies are VERY cautiously making any decisions that could affect remaining staff after a layoff as it continues to destroy morale and causes defects of top performers/star employees, the ones companies do not want to lose.

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

True in Union shops, but on the salary/non-union - usually its highest paid, longest term who have hit their max position in salary ranges. In short the people who are priced above market for their position.

As for future of layoffs, possilbly, most companies are looking at all options, but companies are VERY cautiously making any decisions that could affect remaining staff after a layoff as it continues to destroy morale and causes defects of top performers/star employees, the ones companies do not want to lose.

That's why in my DH's area they fired his supervisor (non-union) with all the experience and hired someone who doesn't have a clue? Hardly....new guy is less $$$$. Can't do a fraction of the other person's job. That's how the layoffs began.....then it was just completed during the second round with a buzz saw...departments fired and staff rehired as consultants.....less $ and no benefits. This benefits morale how again?

Trust me, Disney can't possibly care a smidge about morale.....because it's gone in the places where I know castmembers. It's all about $$$. Castmembers have always been disposable in the Disney system.

Perhaps other companies are different.....

 

[cruisedad]

My friend was looking at a park hourly full time position. He was going to move to Orlando area but if full time hours can get cut to 32/week there is no way he can do it.

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

My friend was looking at a park hourly full time position. He was going to move to Orlando area but if full time hours can get cut to 32/week there is no way he can do it.

Tell him to look at Universal Studios.

We have 2 former WDW castmembers working with us now. They worked at WDW only a couple of months and then switched to US.......better pay and better working conditions. They loved it there for YEARS.

Now they are here and going to college at night. We are fortunate to have them working with us during the day!


Universal Studios should be looking for new people this fall when the new coaster opens AND early next year with Harry Potter opening!

 

[KYMickey]

Don't forget there is one good point in the recent announcements, profits decreased! At least there are still profits which is a lot more than many companies can say these days, so things aren't really that bad at Disney!

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

Don't forget there is one good point in the recent announcements, profits decreased! At least there are still profits which is a lot more than many companies can say these days, so things aren't really that bad at Disney!

True - in this environment a 46% decrease in profits is the new success story.

 

[lovemickeyshouse]

I was thinking of moving down there to work in the security field so maybe I should apply at US.

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

I was thinking of moving down there to work in the security field so maybe I should apply at US.

It can't hurt to try ALL the theme parks - don't forget Sea World. None are having a banner year - but all you have to do is get your foot in the door. Once the economy improves for the tourist industry.....they will be beefing up staffing again and you will already BE there.

 

[11290]

I was thinking of moving down there to work in the security field so maybe I should apply at US.

FWIW: I moved to Orlando about 3 weeks ago and had worked in the security field for about 4 years in Indiana. Applied to WDW about 2 weeks ago and had an interview about 2 days later. Was told there were no openings currently but might be some part-time openings coming up soon. Part time at WDW is not 32 hours (at least that is what they told me and is posted on the information lobby tv while you wait for your interview) as in earlier posts, but is 6 - 24 hours. Full time is 32 - 40 hours.

Be advised that in FL you must have a FL class D unarmed security license (minimum - no other state reciprocity) and at WDW you must also have a FL drivers license for security. Class D license requires you to go to an authorized school for the first 24 hours and then again for the other 16 hours of schooling to be completed within 180 days. The school I went to was $60 and the fees to the state for the FBI and fingerprint check were $87. Armed security licensing takes more schooling and more state fees and requires quite a bit of time as you have to take a series of classes to get to the armed licensing requirements.

Some work sites will require that you have the full 40 hours before hire, some within 30 days, etc..

If you need further info on the security schools and so forth, PM me and I will give you some info on the school that I went to and so on.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

That's why in my DH's area they fired his supervisor (non-union) with all the experience and hired someone who doesn't have a clue? Hardly....new guy is less $$$$. Can't do a fraction of the other person's job. That's how the layoffs began.....then it was just completed during the second round with a buzz saw...departments fired and staff rehired as consultants.....less $ and no benefits. This benefits morale how again?

Trust me, Disney can't possibly care a smidge about morale.....because it's gone in the places where I know castmembers. It's all about $$$. Castmembers have always been disposable in the Disney system.

I know you're somewhat disgruntled from past posts, and I can appreciate that, but coming from Finance, I can tell you layoffs are rarely the preferred path.

Disney does care about morale, they don't want defects of star employees to competitors (and yes Disney does have competitors). Defects decrease revenue and profit as they reduce productivity. Most companies also prefer to do a one through sweep rather then hitting the pot multiple times, again because it generates morale issues and reduced productivity.

As for your husband's manager, although from your perspective the employee was productive etc, you also do not know the other side. Maybe his performance reviews were less then stellar, maybe he was difficult in dealing with superiors, failed to met goals and achievements. When push comes to shove, those are the people that are often first to go (not always) through general cuts. Deliberate cuts based on volumes/production/reorganization are another subject because usually performance isn't a measure, rather matching staff to specific levels and eventually even solid performers are impacted.

This isn't to say companies do not make mistakes in the rush to action and either cut too deep (or too shallow) but I am a realist and coming from my background, I know all too well how these things work as often some of the decisions are made at my level.

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

I know you're somewhat disgruntled from past posts, and I can appreciate that, but coming from Finance, I can tell you layoffs are rarely the preferred path.

Disney does care about morale, they don't want defects of star employees to competitors (and yes Disney does have competitors). Defects decrease revenue and profit as they reduce productivity. Most companies also prefer to do a one through sweep rather then hitting the pot multiple times, again because it generates morale issues and reduced productivity.

As for your husband's manager, although from your perspective the employee was productive etc, you also do not know the other side. Maybe his performance reviews were less then stellar, maybe he was difficult in dealing with superiors, failed to met goals and achievements. When push comes to shove, those are the people that are often first to go (not always) through general cuts. Deliberate cuts based on volumes/production/reorganization are another subject because usually performance isn't a measure, rather matching staff to specific levels and eventually even solid performers are impacted.

This isn't to say companies do not make mistakes in the rush to action and either cut too deep (or too shallow) but I am a realist and coming from my background, I know all too well how these things work as often some of the decisions are made at my level.

There are cetainly two sides to every story and I have no doubt that somewhere in the catacombs of Disney's "layoff" squad people must be feeling horrible about what they are doing to castmembers.

That being said....Disney is doing precious little to emotionally support their staff left behind at the moment - at least in the building where my husband is employed. How about being told to remove the coffee pots to save electricity.....that improves morale how? It DID result in people being out of the building much more....in line at Starbucks.

Don't get me wrong - I love the Disney experience at the parks and we can do so much more because of castmember perks (and WOW, the discounts this year have been GREAT!). What I don't like is hyprocity - and that should be added to the Disney logo.

We make our own magic and we do it VERY WELL. We have, however, left the company kool aid behind in favor of honesty.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

How about being told to remove the coffee pots to save electricity.....that improves morale how? It DID result in people being out of the building much more....in line at Starbucks.

Although I cannot comment directly, my office complex used to offer free coffee, but during one of our budget reviews we made a decision to remove the free coffee (and machines) and also instated a policy to prohibit coffee pots. Our reasons for the coffee pots is two fold, it will overall reduce electricity usage, but they also present a fire hazard. From a Finance perspective, it is a simple choice to make, we either make non-head count cuts like these or make harder choices.

If employee morale drops over removing coffee pots/free coffee, I say to those who feel so impacted, grow-up.

 

[scooter15]

I know you're somewhat disgruntled from past posts, and I can appreciate that, but coming from Finance, I can tell you layoffs are rarely the preferred path.

Disney does care about morale, they don't want defects of star employees to competitors (and yes Disney does have competitors). Defects decrease revenue and profit as they reduce productivity. Most companies also prefer to do a one through sweep rather then hitting the pot multiple times, again because it generates morale issues and reduced productivity.

I know you mean well and you certainly love the company however, it seems that you have NEVER worked for the Walt Disney Co. I live out near Anaheim and a lot of people I know have been affected by the last round of lay offs and the company does NOT care about morale.

They really don't care about their "star" CMs because if you saw the list of people that were let go, many of them were the ones producing results and moving the company forward. People who had good relationships with their superiors were treated badly in the end. Their superiors read from a script and offered not even an "I'm sorry", "it was a pleasure to work with you", "let me know if there's anything I can help with" or even the most obvious "do you have any questions". They were read from a script, mostly by phone and before anything could be said, told that HR would call, and the person on the other end would immediately hang up. Then if these people just happened to be off that day, they were told they had to come into the office to clear out their desk and NOT off hours like HR said (because of morale) BUT during business hours. Tell me how that is great for morale and how the company does care about their stellar and star employees. Apparently departments didn't care that they tried to parade the laid off ones by trying to make them pick up personal items during business hours.

The mood at Disneyland has been somber and not getting any better because they are heading into another round of lay offs in the name of reorganization. Funny, wasn't that supposed to happen the last time. Anyway, reorganization for several depts has been announced internally and basically if your position can't be transferred to Florida, dont' expect to be working by summer. I know people that breathed a sigh of relief when they weren't given a pink slip and their coworker was but that mood has changed this past week. You have people who seriously are afraid they will not have a job by the beginning of the summer and they probably won't.

 

[nmdisfans]

Have not heard of new layoffs in FL, but can tell you from personal experience this past week that those of us who were "almost hired" in the fall but told our positions were frozen (like me) are still frozen out. Recent openings at DVC were given only to internal candidates and not even an email or phone call was returned. After having waited for 9 months for a job I moved here for, I can say from personal experience that unless you are looking for part time work in janitorial, housekeeping or culinary (Disney-speak for dishwasher) at $7.00 per hour, don't expect to get hired at WDW full time until maybe after the start of the new fiscal year in October. That is the reality here. Sorry to seem unpleasant and spoil the hopes of the posters who are thinking they might get a job soon, you are better off not waiting, get what you can elsewhere and keep hoping that Disney opens up to 'external candidates" in fiscal '10. Right now, the only hires are internal cast members shifting from one job to another.

 

[11290]

They really don't care about their "star" CMs because if you saw the list of people that were let go, many of them were the ones producing results and moving the company forward. People who had good relationships with their superiors were treated badly in the end. Their superiors read from a script and offered not even an "I'm sorry", "it was a pleasure to work with you", "let me know if there's anything I can help with" or even the most obvious "do you have any questions". They were read from a script

Welcome to the real corporate world. This happens everyday in corporate America and the corporate world, whether Disney or not. As long as you work for "the other guy" this is the thanks you may receive, whether anyone likes it or not. That's just the way things are and the way it works sometimes, so to bash Disney as being "special" is just not looking at reality.

 

[PatriciaH]

Yes, we have heard they are tracking/checking all time, hours, budgets, projects here in Marketing, Advertising, etc. More layoffs around 30 days from now the rumor is.

 

[cruisedad]

I was looking to apply to Security. Does anyone know if they have a hiring freeze there too or are they hiring full and part time people?

 

[skier_pete]

I think the shame isn't that Disney treats employees like other companies do, which they do...it's that corporate America finds it so easy to treat employees like dirt...the problem is a system that finds that the stock price, or "investor"...is more important than the employee. Therefore, these companies do everything to make things look their best for Wall Street, while not giving two s**ts about the affect on the people that should matter, the employee.

Our company announced a sector-wide 2nd qtr 1 week furlough (no pay of course)...reduces costs by $5 million. We expect more in 3rd and 4th qtr. It's better than a layoff though I guess, but still hard to lose income.

I'd like to think that private sector business world was better, but my wifes worked a few places that the employees were treated pretty badly...what's the solution? Start your own business I guess.

SkierPete