Response from Disney regarding tipping bathroom CM

[jekjones1558]

Here is a link to the thread about tipping a CM cleaning bathrooms at WDW:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3007282

I sent an email to Guest Communication Services and got this response (I have deleted my home address and email before pasting here):


From: Walt Disney World Guest Mail <guest.mail@wdw.disneyonline.com>
Date: October 20, 2012, 6:42:38 AM CDT
To: <jekjones1558>
Subject: Re:10/17 tipping bathroom cleaners

Dear Jean

Thank you for contacting Walt Disney World®!
Yes, the cast members who clean the bathrooms, may accept tips. That is very kind of you to acknowledge their hard work.

Sincerely, Henrietta Gonsalves,
WDW Online Communications
PLEASE NOTE: All information is subject to change without notice and should be confirmed just prior to your visit.




Original Message Follows: ------------------------
------------------------------------------------------
From: jekjones1558
To: WDW.Guest.Communications@disneyworld.com
Date: 10/17/2012
Subject: tipping bathroom cleaners
Case ID: 18917227
--------------------------------------------------------
Dear DRC Online,
We have not responded to this Guest.
We are forwarding this Guest's message to your area for handling. Please review the following message and respond to the Guest. The Guest's e-mail address is <jekjones1558>.
Thank you for partnering!
Guest Experience Services Team
Walt Disney World Resort


Original Message Follows: ------------------------
Is tipping of cast members who clean bathrooms at WDW allowed? I would like to acknowledge these hardworking people when I see them doing their important and too often unappreciated work. Are these cast members allowed to keep any tips offered to them?
Jean Jones
St Paul, MN

 

[SamSam]

Jean, Thank you for posting the reply you received. I'm so glad they are able to receive tips/gifts for such an often overlooked position.

Now to start an envelope to save up $5's and $10's.

 

[clayfolks]

Starting our envelope today! We will be down in 27 days!!! Thanks for the great idea!

 

[dianeschlicht]

Great idea. I do know that "swampers" (as toilet cleaners are called) are definitely at the bottom of the barrel when it comes to pay scale.

 

[DisWitt]

Actually, when I was trying to get a DLR job in the 90's, bathroom service workers were paid an extra $.50/hr above others in their pay grade. I'm not arguing that they're getting rich or well paid, but I think many of the bottom tier employees have it pretty tough.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Thank you for posting. I haven't gotten a response from my e-mail yet. It looks as is snail mail beat e-mail this time!

Bobbi

 

[jekjones1558]

Actually, when I was trying to get a DLR job in the 90's, bathroom service workers were paid an extra $.50/hr above others in their pay grade. I'm not arguing that they're getting rich or well paid, but I think many of the bottom tier employees have it pretty tough.

I would not be surprised if additional pay/hour is needed to get anybody to do the job of cleaning toilets all day!

Thank you for posting. I haven't gotten a response from my e-mail yet. It looks as is snail mail beat e-mail this time!

Bobbi

Actually, mine was an email! I am happy to know that Disney allows the people who do this decidedly unmagical job to keep any tips.

 

[CarolAnnC]

Actually, when I was trying to get a DLR job in the 90's, bathroom service workers were paid an extra $.50/hr above others in their pay grade. I'm not arguing that they're getting rich or well paid, but I think many of the bottom tier employees have it pretty tough.

Cast Members at DLR are paid differently from WDW Cast Members due to the State of California's strict employment laws. Minimum wage, tipped employee wages, etc. vary greatly from Florida.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Even though I e-mailed, today I got a phone call from Ebony who also told me that the CMs who clean the restrooms can definitely keep the tips they receive, and it is very nice, thoughtful and not necessary to tip them.

Bobbi

 

[jekjones1558]

Even though I e-mailed, today I got a phone call from Ebony who also told me that the CMs who clean the restrooms can definitely keep the tips they receive, and it is very nice, thoughtful and not necessary to tip them.

Bobbi

Great! Thanks for posting. I am impressed that you got a phone call. I will have my tip money ready to go when we go back on Nov. 27.

 

[iluveeyore]

Yay, Jean - thanks for checking into this further. I was so touched by your other thread when you tipped the girl in the bathroom, it inspired me to start planning to 'spread some magic' on our trip for New Years. Glad they can keep whatever we give them! Remember, what goes around, comes around, so hope life is treating you well!

 

[magicaldisney]

I am ashamed to say I never thought about tipping them, but I will be now!!

 

[mlittig]

Thanks, Jean, for the wonderful, generous idea

 

[k3chantal]

What a wonderful way to keep the 'magic' alive. So many people go to Disney thinking it must be 'given' to them but to actually be the giver thus spreading what is magical about Disney is a fantastic idea.

 

[BCV23]

Jean, thanks for sharing the response from WDW and thanks again for sharing your awesome idea.