Should cast members be paid more?

[Planogirl]

True--but I have a feeling we are talking about CM's doing the more mundane non-extraordinary tasks to operate the theme park.

As it stands--at least at Vero, each section had their own payscale...so us lowly mousekeepers, didn't get the same range as the front desk people or the recreation staff for example.

The common argument seems to be that the CM's have to put up with all sorts of guests and their low wage must be why they can't be sunshine and cheery all the time.

My comment was about that.

Even a retail CM isn't going to have to know the ins and outs of their computer systems.

(And I have worked retail as well...making more than I did scrubbing toilets of course. And part of the reason why I opted for scrubbing toilets!)

I will say that being paid a bit more when I got a better job made me overall somewhat happier which made it a little easier to deal with weirdos. But our company keeps insisting that studies show that happiness in the job is not related to salary so I guess that I'm offbase.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I have done some searching. Florida does not allow rent control, per se. They do allow municipalities to control rent increases, but landlords can charge new tenants whatever they want. Not sure if this is what mrsdon meant.

They do have section 8 (I think!) though....there was a complex not far from where I used to live. It wasn't a "project" though. Not certain what it was actually except that access was limited by incomes and if you made more than the income, you did not live there. It was a lovely location though--on the river. But restricted it was.

They have income restrictions here in Virginia. And the rents are so high. We had a budget when looking for a place to rent when moving up here (as we had to keep our FL residence)--and we could not afford those places. Rent was too high. I'm not sure how folks on the limited incomes required for the privilege of living there are able to do it. Easily 50% of their income.

 

[snowywhite89]

I agree with Mark - supply and demand.

I see it here on the DIS. I want to move to FL to work for Disney.

I watched this last night with DH...both he and I worked for Disney for very short periods of time, as we soon found that Disney wages would not support us at all. Lucklily this is when jobs in Orlando were easier to come by, unlike now, where even the local McDonalds isnt looking for people..

Some people may be blinded by the pixie dust sometimes. My cousin has been a Disney CM for 7yrs, he retired here. He is still dipping into is retirement to pay his bills and make ends meet. When he first got the job, he worked 50+ hrs a week...on his feet taking tickets. He was tired and sore, but he loved making magic as it is so put. That all ended within 2yrs of low pay, long hours, and no family time. He still works for Disney, but at his age, there is not a lot he can do.

It was mentioned in the video how someone had to go to Amscot to make it from check to check...As I was driving into work this morning, there was a CM coming out of Amscot I assume on her way into work.

Its rough out there. WDW is the LARGEST employer in about 3 counties, followed by Publix, who isnt much better on its treatment of employees. Not all the jobs are super magical either. Its not all its cracked up to be

Retirees use their retirement money to pays bills in retirement.

If he wanted to make a wage to pay his bills then he should have stayed at his old job and not moved to FL to work at a minimum wage job.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

I will say that being paid a bit more when I got a better job made me overall somewhat happier which made it a little easier to deal with weirdos. But our company keeps insisting that studies show that happiness in the job is not related to salary so I guess that I'm offbase.

It isn't unless you are making so little that it impacts your life. In management, we treat job satisfaction and job dissatisfaction very differently. Generally, a person only becomes dissatisfied with their job over money if their pay is insufficient to provide for their basic necessities. In many cases, this is the result of unrealistic expectations or very poor spending habits - but the job dissatisfaction is there.

The question - should a manager attempt to hold onto an employee who has spent themselves into a position that they require a pay raise by giving them a pay raise. Experience has taught me that this will only help for a short period of time. The behavior that really led to their financial situation will not change. In a few years, they will be in the same boat again, and dissatisfied again. I have learned to just let them go. People like that tend to be broke their entire lives, no matter how much money they make.

To make an employee happy, I offer them challenging work, make them feel needed and appreciated, and offer them a career path with a future. With these things in place, most employees are very happy, even if they face some financial challenges at home.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I will say that being paid a bit more when I got a better job made me overall somewhat happier which made it a little easier to deal with weirdos. But our company keeps insisting that studies show that happiness in the job is not related to salary so I guess that I'm offbase.

I don't know.

But I had 2 people who probably make similar wages for disney....anyway...one was always grumble grumble grumble about customers.

The other--could share the same stories, but with that Disney happiness that would never talk ill of a guest.

So for example...

CM #1, I had the dumbest customer today--they tagged their bags for Magical Express and then were shocked when their bags were gone. Then they came to me and were shocked that I don't have a magic wand to poof their bags back to them. "But we need our costumes for the Halloween Party" (said in a high pitch whiny tone). Followed by what he wished he could say "well I guess you didn't read the information that came with your tickets and had you, you would have known to either not tag the bags for pick up, or carry your dang costumes with you".

Then he'd whine about how he was never promoted.

The other--well, never has a cross word to say about any guest for any reason. But had some humourous anectdotes of her day.

"Today I was working at the Tunnel and I got to help this family who was concerned that their bags wouldn't make it to their cabin in time for their first nights outfits. I reassured them that things would be okay and if they didn't make it, that they could just show up as they were and all would be just magical."

I'm so glad the first one is no longer with the company. I got sick of his whining. He'd think guests were just as dumb if he were a manager or even if he were CEO.

My friend could be cleaning the toilet and be happy as a clam.

Compensation may make it easier to put up with it--but if your spirit has you feeling people are stupid in general....well, it will come across in your demeanor regardless of how much you get paid. (IMHO)

I worked my butt of in retail and I did end up leaving it--but it was due to a manager that made me grumpy with her holier than thou attitude. That has nothing to do with this topic though. She would have been a witch had I made 6 figures.

 

[Hannathy]

I don't think that the poster was suggesting otherwise.

That is just how I interpreted it since she made a point of saying he has been doing it for 4 years and implying he was still making the same. So I don't know, just my opinion.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

They do have section 8 (I think!) though....there was a complex not far from where I used to live. It wasn't a "project" though. Not certain what it was actually except that access was limited by incomes and if you made more than the income, you did not live there. It was a lovely location though--on the river. But restricted it was.

They have income restrictions here in Virginia. And the rents are so high. We had a budget when looking for a place to rent when moving up here (as we had to keep our FL residence)--and we could not afford those places. Rent was too high. I'm not sure how folks on the limited incomes required for the privilege of living there are able to do it. Easily 50% of their income.

I think that all states have subsidized housing - federal programs provide many such subsidies. But the poster did not say that it was subsidized housing. Maybe mrsdon will clarify.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

It isn't unless you are making so little that it impacts your life. In management, we treat job satisfaction and job dissatisfaction very differently. Generally, a person only becomes dissatisfied with their job over money if their pay is insufficient to provide for their basic necessities. In many cases, this is the result of unrealistic expectations or very poor spending habits - but the job dissatisfaction is there.

The question - should a manager attempt to hold onto an employee who has spent themselves into a position that they require a pay raise by giving them a pay raise. Experience has taught me that this will only help for a short period of time. The behavior that really led to their financial situation will not change. In a few years, they will be in the same boat again, and dissatisfied again. I have learned to just let them go. People like that tend to be broke their entire lives, no matter how much money they make.

To make an employee happy, I offer them challenging work, make them feel needed and appreciated, and offer them a career path with a future. With these things in place, most employees are very happy, even if they face some financial challenges at home.

Not sure if this matches what you are saying....

But my husband made more than I thought was fair compensation in his last job and I theorize that is why the company was no more last October. He had to find a new job and I knew there was no way in Hades he would be paid that unsustainable salary.

With the new company--we were put into an awkward position. What they wanted to pay was simply not enough for our circumstance. But through verification of why it was not enough (couldn't sell home, only real option would be to let it fall into foreclosure and we would avoid that at all costs)--they were able to up his salary to match our needs.

Anything done above and beyond that is gravy. But there is something to be said for an employer who does strive to help you meet your needs.

Where the problem is for me--is at Disney, there are so many employees who voluntarily took a position in a right to work state where hours are NOT guaranteed. They went and took the $6, $7, $8/hr position (not sure what minimum wage is, so I apologize for my ignorance)--and then they are shocked when even FT hours aren't enough to cover the bills and then CM's want to blame the big greedy corporation.

I don't think that is fare. And while idealistic that Disney pay a "fair" wage--it is going to make accessing the parks more cost prohibitive than it already is, limit the growth of the company and result in more CM's losing their jobs.

Now, I only "minored" in Business Administration--I'm sure there are all sort of tools to guestimate impact of increasing wages....

But I go back to my statement of--how much should an employee be compensated for cleaning a toilet, managing a queue, traying up orders at Pecos Bill's, assisting at admission, etc..?

There is a chain reaction of cost increases behind bumping up a wage a quarter, or a dollar, or ten.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

Not sure if this matches what you are saying......

It is different because they hired him with those issues, which were not tied to spending problems, and decided that the additional salary was justified. I have upped offers for many reasons when making a hire.

When deciding whether or not to hire a person, you have to look for signs of things that will lead to dissatisfaction down the raod. This is why so many companies run credit checks on potential employees. I rarely hire a person for significantly less than they made in their previous job unless their credit report is spotless. Even though the job is "something" to them, if it is not enough to pay his/her bills, the person will not be happy. This will impact their performance.

 

[rie'smom]

And if that's too cold and heartless, then we as a society have to change our values, and adopt a different type of society, rather than try to avoid our responsibility for the troubles of these folks, by trying to foist responsibility onto others, such as businesses or government.

We - all of us in this society, collectively - are responsible for the difficulties these folks have to deal with.

These people made a decision to work for a company that has been known for their low pay and long hours. I feel for the employees but I do not feel responsible.
Sorry but Utopia does not exist.

 

[RayaniFoxmur]

These people made a decision to work for a company that has been known for their low pay and long hours. I feel for the employees but I do not feel responsible.
Sorry but Utopia does not exist.

I REALLY don't think anyone is asking for Utopia here.

 

[RayaniFoxmur]

That is just how I interpreted it since she made a point of saying he has been doing it for 4 years and implying he was still making the same. So I don't know, just my opinion.

But working 4 years and 6 days a week just to make ends meet when do you propose that they do something to further their education?

Getting promoted at Disney isn't exactly the easiest thing to do in the world either. Not everyone is stellar at the game of politics...

How about those that HAVE college educations but can't seem to get a job in their field? Both my husband and I can't get jobs in our degree field cause no one is hiring for it. Then what? Go back to school again and let the loans start piling up on each other? That's just causing more problems...

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

But working 4 years and 6 days a week just to make ends meet when do you propose that they do something to further their education? ...

Not sure this is Disney's problem.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

...How about those that HAVE college educations but can't seem to get a job in their field? Both my husband and I can't get jobs in our degree field cause no one is hiring for it. Then what? Go back to school again and let the loans start piling up on each other? That's just causing more problems...

Find things that bring you joy until things turn around. Remember, no matter how bad things look, they could be worse. Just ask the board. There are people posting here who would love to only have money problems.

 

[RayaniFoxmur]

Not sure this is Disney's problem.

Never said it was. I was asking a question about something that was said. If it's oh so easy to get out of these jobs, just by getting an education then hot dog sign me up for more student loans!

Many of the people that work for these type of low skill jobs stay in them because they get stuck. But it's so easy to sit there and look down at them yelling "Oh just go get an education! Further yourself!". So... when is there time to do that?

Seriously. I want to know. If I'm working 8 hours a day, 6 days a week, and sleep for 8 hours, when can I go get an education to get myself one of these fancy guaranteed degree jobs?

Yeah. Need to walk away now.

 

[snowywhite89]

http://www.dol.gov/whd/minwage/america.htm#Florida

FL minimum wage is $7.25/hr.



We tip well at WDW both the waitstaff and housekeeping.

 

[Hannathy]

But working 4 years and 6 days a week just to make ends meet when do you propose that they do something to further their education?

Getting promoted at Disney isn't exactly the easiest thing to do in the world either. Not everyone is stellar at the game of politics...

How about those that HAVE college educations but can't seem to get a job in their field? Both my husband and I can't get jobs in our degree field cause no one is hiring for it. Then what? Go back to school again and let the loans start piling up on each other? That's just causing more problems...

Then you don't major in something with no job prospects or you do exactly that go back for something you can get a job in. I did. I couldn't find a job so I found a 3-11 job and I went to school during the day in a field I knew I could get a job in. And yes it may mean more loans.

So the Disney person could do the same. work one shift go to school the other. Disney is no different than any other large corporation as far as getting ahead.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

But working 4 years and 6 days a week just to make ends meet when do you propose that they do something to further their education?

Getting promoted at Disney isn't exactly the easiest thing to do in the world either. Not everyone is stellar at the game of politics...

There are ways.

But she said he was happy, so I'm assuming that he is not bothered by working for the company. I'm not sure why he was mentioned except to say that he cannot afford a regular apartment alone. He'd have to clear a lot more an hour to afford a non-income restricted apartment. $300 increase in rent is an after-tax hourly wage increase on a 40-hr workweek of $1.88 an hour.

Assuming he makes maybe $7 an hour (I'm not familiar with current wages, so my apologies on that)....that is a 26% increase, more once that increase is burdened to include his taxes and the additional monies that Disney must pay for the honor of having him as an employee. That is a HUGE increase.

While it would be lovely for all employees to earn more--is that huge increase really warranted and are guests ready to absorb that cost?

Let's say--500 employees make this wage .... That is $940/unburdened per hour.....$37,600 per 40 hour work week. And that doesn't even scratch the surface as it correlates to all of the employees at each and every resort and theme park and additional on-property sites.

I wish I knew all the figures---but it is mind blowing when you sit down and scale a small request company-wide.

But people have gotten college educations on much worse schedules the nation wide if they are looking at ways to advance their careers with or without the mouse.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

Never said it was. I was asking a question about something that was said. If it's oh so easy to get out of these jobs, just by getting an education then hot dog sign me up for more student loans!

Many of the people that work for these type of low skill jobs stay in them because they get stuck. But it's so easy to sit there and look down at them yelling "Oh just go get an education! Further yourself!". So... when is there time to do that?

I don't look down my nose at anyone. I am no better than anyone walking this planet.

Seriously. I want to know. If I'm working 8 hours a day, 6 days a week, and sleep for 8 hours, when can I go get an education to get myself one of these fancy guaranteed degree jobs?

No guarantees in life. Now is a very tough time to graduate college and enter the workplace. I am really sorry to hear that you are facing this.

To address your question, when my wife was expecting our first child, I worked 7 days per week and went to school full time. Yes - full time. I barely slept for a couple of years, but I got through it. I am not smarter than anyone else out there. If I can do it, almost anyone can do it. It would not have helped much in this economy.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Never said it was. I was asking a question about something that was said. If it's oh so easy to get out of these jobs, just by getting an education then hot dog sign me up for more student loans!

Many of the people that work for these type of low skill jobs stay in them because they get stuck. But it's so easy to sit there and look down at them yelling "Oh just go get an education! Further yourself!". So... when is there time to do that?

Seriously. I want to know. If I'm working 8 hours a day, 6 days a week, and sleep for 8 hours, when can I go get an education to get myself one of these fancy guaranteed degree jobs?

Yeah. Need to walk away now.

I'm not cut out for such a schedule....but it has and will continue to be done by those with the drive to advance themselves.

It is the person that limits themself, not the job.

As far as your situation, the economy is tough. You just do what you can. My BIL couldn't find a job in engineering b/c he graduated at precisely the wrong time when all the dot.coms went bust. He found ANY job and then worked that job until he found one in his field. And even then, he got lucky. Things have since turned around and he would have enventually found a job--and then this economy happened and the jobs are very hard to find. My husband got lucky and found the ONLY job that would hire him. And it required a major relocation. While that stank...the alternative was no job and no income...so we did what we needed to survive. Everyone that was laid off with him that were open to relocation--all got reemployed. The one that refused, remains unemployed to this day. B/c noone is hiring where we used to live.


The complaints about Disney wages have occurred in good times and in bad. The economy just gives it a platform.