Uh OH! Rent/pay question

[SanFranciscan]

Hopefully that isnt the same position my friend got out there. He had to go through 2 interviews to get a position out there when the Braves come in for training camp and it consisted of him standing in a parking lot for 8-10 hours a day making sure the media trucks didnt park in the handicap parking area.

If he was paid a decent wage to do something that bad for his legs and that boring, then maybe I understand. I do think that companies have taken advantage of college students for too long now. I don't have children, but I am old enough to have children in college. While I was a teenager, an "intern" was a new M.D. so at least they had jobs with bright futures. I am hearing more and more negative things about the "internships" for college students these days.

While I am still a fan of Disney theme parks and have nothing against young people working for sports teams, I do have a problem with anyone getting away with a slave trade just because the workers are young. If you are productive workers, you are productive workers period. I also have a huge problem with young workers getting college credit instead of wages due because they shouldn't be paying the school for something that costs the school nothing.

I don't know what is going on in the Disney College Program nor what is going on with the Braves College Program. I believe what the young people here are saying because they are in a better position to know than I, and I can't imagine what exotic motive they might have to lie.

 

[glendalais]

I like Disney theme parks, but they had better watch themselves with this college program. The tide is starting to turn with an administration more favorable to labor, and unions do not take kindly to exploitation of college "interns" who are contributing to the income of the companies that they work for.

Another thing is that parents will start to balk if they know that their children are working for Disney and yet calling home for money to pay rent to Disney.

WDW's Unions agreed to this thing back in the 1980s and have continued to support it, somewhat begrudgingly, as evidenced by the provisions in their Labour Contracts which explicitly exempt CPers.

The reason many CPers are having trouble with hours right now is because WDW is a Union Workplace. With attendance and sales down, there aren't as many hours. As such, the Company, under the contract, must work to ensure that FTers (and CRs to an extent) get as many 32+, and preferably 40 hour weeks, as is possible. Only after this is done can they give hours to CPers.

IMO, the FT nature of the vast majority of WDW's workforce is also why the Unions haven't been very vocal about getting rid of it - they get their pick of hours either way.

On the other hand, here at the DLR, where most of our frontline workforce are Unionized CRs (Part Timers) who are being heavily impacted by CPers taking our hours, we do have strong anti-CP sentiment; as well as an organized Union movement to restrict and/or abolish the CP.

 

[Luv2Diz]

My son has applied for the Fall 09 program and all of this is rather concerning. Not enough hours for CPers to even pay the rent and less than stellar treatment by full-timers? Not exactly "Magical."

 

[Traveliz]

My son has applied for the Fall 09 program and all of this is rather concerning. Not enough hours for CPers to even pay the rent and less than stellar treatment by full-timers? Not exactly "Magical."

I can't comment on the hours situation - my daughter is now a part timer with Disney but she did do the College Program last year for both the Fall and Spring semester. I had previously read on other boards that full timers don't like the CPs and treat them poorly but I will say in her case she met many full timers that she became friends with, some she didn't like, but hey there were some poorly behaved CPs too so I don't really think thats an issue. She worked at two different attractions in two different parks last year and is in yet another attraction this year and has good relationships with the FT CMs.

I also think the CP with less than 30 hours is a fluke and they need to get that fixed ... the CP program is well aware of the fact the kids need the hours to pay the rent. If anything I could see them limiting the CP numbers some to even things out right now hour wise.

Liz

 

[CelebrationNM]

The not-enough-hours-to-pay-rent is, hopefully, as unusual as it is unfortunate. I’m sorry that has happened to you and I hope it is not recurring!

My son has applied for the Fall 09 program and all of this is rather concerning. Not enough hours for CPers to even pay the rent and less than stellar treatment by full-timers? Not exactly "Magical."

The "magical" advantages of the CP that remain are the opportunity to work at the world's #1 vacation destination, to make professional and friendly connections with great people, to live somewhere new and different, to have an opportunity to learn about the business through the CP courses, and other advantages that come with each individual experience. It may not be for everybody, but I think a lot of people get a lot of good out of it.

 

[Berlioz70]

I think some miscommunication has occured over the length of this thread... the CP DID get 30 hours but when asked to reduce hours (which was accepted) the student fell below 30. That was a decision the student made, not something that was done from scheduling... CPs are guarenteed 30 and if they fall below it's due to their own decisions.

Live and learn!

 

[Epcot Dreamz]

I like Disney theme parks, but they had better watch themselves with this college program. The tide is starting to turn with an administration more favorable to labor, and unions do not take kindly to exploitation of college "interns" who are contributing to the income of the companies that they work for.

Another thing is that parents will start to balk if they know that their children are working for Disney and yet calling home for money to pay rent to Disney.

Um, Disney has been doing this for 25 years. You are told what you will be paid and how many hours you are guaranteed when you sign your contract. CP's are on a non-union contract. And most corporations do not pay interns. No one forced you to work for Disney.

 

[Epcot Dreamz]

My son has applied for the Fall 09 program and all of this is rather concerning. Not enough hours for CPers to even pay the rent and less than stellar treatment by full-timers? Not exactly "Magical."

If he does his job while he's at work and doesn't leave early all the time or call in, he'll be fin.

 

[SanFranciscan]

Um, Disney has been doing this for 25 years. You are told what you will be paid and how many hours you are guaranteed when you sign your contract. CP's are on a non-union contract. And most corporations do not pay interns. No one forced you to work for Disney.

I do not and have never worked for Disney. Naturally as a Disney PR person, no doubt paid, you feel that you must defend anything Disney does, even if it means insulting Disney fans. Tacky. Tacky. Tacky.

I have never even belonged to a labor union, and I am in favor of putting the kabash on unpaid internships. These are supported by the same people who allow "golden parachutes" for executives who run companies into the ground and then stiff the taxpayers or whoever for the bill.

We are getting off topic here though. The fact remains that while I do see where working for Disney could be a positive experience for a young person, work intended to profit a corporation is never, ever, not hardly ever, but never a favor done to those workers. I do see the potential for extreme abuse here if the contract protects Disney only and devil take the naive young person who has no knowledge of contracts and no resources for a lawyer.

I do visit Disney theme parks and am planning and saving for my household's next trip to Disney World. However, if there is a problem going on there with labor at the time that we were planning to go, my money will go to Universal Studios or Sea World instead.

 

[CelebrationNM]

Certainly there is potential for abuse, but seeing that some CP students choose to intern multiple times or return to work FT or PT, I'd like to think that is the exception. You’re welcome to your opinion, of course.

As far as issues with labor, hopefully all will return to "business as usual," whatever that is. Universal announced 70 layoffs a few weeks back. Marriot down 49% last quarter, announced today. Busch Entertainment (including Sea World Orlando) is on the auction block for around $4 billion, with Disney and Universal as potential buyers.

The next few months will be interesting to say the least.

 

[dsanner106]

I think the confusion some are having reading this is due to the fact the the students pay no rent from their first check, but are charged double rent from their second. The cold snap in WDW a couple weeks ago closed the water parks entirely many days and cut them short on others. The displaced FT workers were shifted to other parks etc, and the CP's were squeezed a bit on hours because of it. This on the same week many had the double rent caused problems, but should not be an issue again.

Drew

 

[SecondStartotheright]

And to solve the mystery...I had a $0 paycheck and this upcoming one has an extra $7 deduction than it normally would.

Which is fine...I saved up for a long time for this, and so I was prepared for such a situation. I was just curious about what they did in this sort of situation.


And to chime in on the rest of the postings...I feel like CPs get the cold shoulder from a lot of the regular CPs. I actually find my managers and coordinators very unapproachable. But I'm not complaining...I feel like there are a good number of CPs that make a bad example for the rest of us. There are a lot of kids here for the wrong reasons, and I know that I'm a good CM and that in due time other CMs will notice. I think you just have to roll with the punches. If you do your best, and your heart is in it, people will notice and respect you for it.

On another note...I think CPs have it really great here. I mean, most internships don't even pay their interns, so we've got it good in that area. And I have to say that the apartment complexes have a lot to offer, more than necessary. I'm staying in Patterson and it's absolutely gorgeous! My roommates complain about how bad we have it a lot...but I'm not complaining at all! And to be honest...I'm just happy to be here!

 

[TiggerTastic09]

Wow, I just read this whole thing at once and I have quite a bit to say. Haha.

First of all, just to chime in and reiterate, all CPs are guarenteed 30 hours.

The amount of hours one gets is based on the department. I'm getting right around 30, the most i've gotten in one week is 34, but my roomate is working between 45-50. Our department is taking major hits in hours across the board. FTs are getting their minimum 32, but not much more, and our PTs are lucky if they can get more than 1 6hr shift a week. We're all getting mostly 6hr shifts (which means even if we extend when they ask us we still don't get overtime). It's rought at times, i'm going to be honest.

But on to the second quesiton,why would anyone do it? Because it's AMAZING. I love working for Disney. I get paid very little, but it's an amazing job. I've met amazing people that I work with and that I interact with in the parks.

Also, I was worried in the beginning about not being treated nicely by the FT/PT people because I came in the first group of CPs our dept has ever had. At first, I had a few problems, but now I've really gotten to know people and it's been great (I also got "pic of the week" so people realize i know what i'm doing). Most people (and the other ones are like that to everyone) have been really willing to help me out if I need it, or just make jokes, or whatever it is. If somene has problems with someone they work with, they should talk to a coordinator or manager (in my dept the coordinators aren't really on our chain of command). If it's with one of them, they should tlak to a different one. If it's bigger than that, there's always area managers. If not, there's your cast services manager that are there for us. If not, we also have people as part of the college program staff that can help us with work related issues. We're quite well taken care of.

And NO I'm not a PR person from Disney, but I really do enjoy working for them as a company and would like to in the future.

 

[DansBride2009]

To the OP: Wow. That whole thing is crazy. I feel so bad for you.

When I was there in 2005 I would work 7 days straight at 14 hour days, and one of my roomies worked 22 days in a row. I'm surprised she maintained such high spirits.

I'm pretty sure though since it's the College Program, they surly can't kick you out because they're not giving you enough hours. I'd just document things and relax and have fun.

I WISH I only had to work 30 hours while I was there.

What I might do is ask a full timer if they want to trade part of a shift to get you up to 30; will they let you do that? I bet they'd like the time off since they have long hours usually. Good luck. Don't worry too much; you ARE College Program, not real world just yet.

Oh. And something was mentioned about how the FT/PT people treated CPs?

I met some of the most wonderful ladies while working at the Contemporary resort. One night my work shoes got stolen out of my bag in the locker room and a lady gave me her extra pair. Another lady always made sure we at least had Raman(sp?) noodles to eat. Another lady made sure any time there was an extra special pin I got one. There were a few pills, sure, but for the most part they were like 3 or 4 extra moms away from home. They were wonderful, and I do miss them.

 

[SyracuseWolvrine]

And to chime in on the rest of the postings...I feel like CPs get the cold shoulder from a lot of the regular CPs. I actually find my managers and coordinators very unapproachable. But I'm not complaining...I feel like there are a good number of CPs that make a bad example for the rest of us. There are a lot of kids here for the wrong reasons, and I know that I'm a good CM and that in due time other CMs will notice. I think you just have to roll with the punches. If you do your best, and your heart is in it, people will notice and respect you for it.

I don't know what area you work in, and I don't necessarily know any of your coordinators, or managers (although, if you're in Attractions, I probably do know at least 1), but, based on your description, I'm pretty sure it's not my area.

There are a few reasons why their behavior may be that way ... as you mentioned, there are some CPs that give the whole group a bad name. Another possibility is that they stay detached on purpose, because some people believe that if CPs are going to leave anyways, then why spend the time to get to know them? (I personally think this way of thinking is bull, but there are people out there that will actually use that as an excuse)

Or it could just be that they have other things going on at the time you approach them. I know of one CP last semester in our area, in the middle of an after-hours emergency drill (which included our cast, managers, the park duty manager, Park Operations line of business, and Reedy Creek Emergency Services), went up to a manager to ask a question about something on their record card.

The manager responded by saying something along the lines of "At this moment, your record card doesn't matter at all to me". That cast member could have interpreted that as them being blown off by the manager, but, given the severity of the situation at hand, the manager was completely justified in their response. (and the Cast Member was probably wrong to ask that question at that moment)

 

[SecondStartotheright]

Well I try not to ask too many questions anyway, but I've noticed that most of my managers and coordinators are noticeably unhelpful when I do. Not all of them though! There are a couple who are really nice, and they are really good about acknowledging your hard work. But then some seem like they always have the assumption that you are doing something wrong, and it's a little bit irritating.

The other day I was stocking a gift shop, and that was my position for the day, but a manager came to ask me if I would stock the glow carts, and he showed me where to get the stuff and where the carts needed to go. So then I went to actually go stock the glow carts and about 10 minutes later 2 coordinators and a couple other Cast Members come down and were like "why are you doing this?!" and I said "because a manager asked me to" and they were like "yes, but I don't understand why you're doing this, are you SUPPOSED to be doing this?" and I said "well my position is stocking the gift shop, but a manager pulled me aside and asked me to do this" And then they were like "where did you get this stuff?! Because you can't stock glow carts from the stock room over here" and I said "I know, I was showed where the glow stock room was and I got this stuff from there"

and it was just a lot of stuff like that. It made me feel really stupid, and I felt like "because a manager told me to" was a good enough reason to be stocking the glow carts.

Or the other day, there was a protein spill and I promptly told the guy I was working with what had happened and got out to the nearest trash can to get some aromatic absorbent. The guy proceeded to call over some managers and run around like a chicken with his head cut off. By the time the managers had gotten there I had already poured the aromatic absorbent and was playing traffic guard while I waited for custodial or someone to bring me a pan and broom. The manager like darts at me, which was startling, and takes the absorbent away and goes "why do you have this? why why why do you know how to do this?" and I just told him that I had asked my trainer what do to, because I thought it would be useful information, and he just said "yeah...it is" and stared at me and then walked away. So I felt pretty crumby about doing what I supposed to do. And then it was another 20 minutes before he ever came back with pan and broom so I could sweep it up.

So it's things like that, I guess, that get to me. But then I've gotten several GSFs from managers who are willing to acknowledge that I'm doing a good job. It's getting better though, I can't really do anything about it, just do my job and hope that eventually everyone will start to realize that I know what I'm doing. Sometimes even CPs will treat me like I don't know how to do anything, so I guess you just have to put up with it, cause some people are just like that.

 

[KBaum]

Okay there are a couple of things I see here...

1) In response to working less than 30 hours a week and not paying rent: the CP office knows things happen. People get hurt or are sick for a period of time and may not make rent, and you can talk to the office about taking out smaller bits of your paycheck for a week or two until you get back going and get on the schedule to pay them back. You can go yourself or a manager at work can speak in your behalf. I remember times where a CP CM was sick and out for a week or broke a leg or something, and the CP office made sure that that CM had groceries and everything taken care of.

2) In response to things like FT CMs not liking CPs or having a hard time with managers at work and things: get used to it; it's called a job. I had FT CMs who were wonderful and fun and others who I never got to know. I had managers who were outgoing and cheerful every step of the way and managers who were more quiet and rough around the edges. Miscommunication ("Why are you doing that? I thought you were doing this") is encountered no matter where you work or what you do and the key is to take everything with a grain of salt, and not personally.

Working for Disney is a job. It's a kickass job, maybe low paying but you have everything that you need and more, with the best company in the world.

Be and act reasonable. Things happen. On the other hand, if you're not responsible enough to work without calling Mom & Dad for money, maybe you're not responsible enough to be working and living in Florida.

 

[SanFranciscan]

Well I try not to ask too many questions anyway, but I've noticed that most of my managers and coordinators are noticeably unhelpful when I do. Not all of them though! There are a couple who are really nice, and they are really good about acknowledging your hard work. But then some seem like they always have the assumption that you are doing something wrong, and it's a little bit irritating.

The other day I was stocking a gift shop, and that was my position for the day, but a manager came to ask me if I would stock the glow carts, and he showed me where to get the stuff and where the carts needed to go. So then I went to actually go stock the glow carts and about 10 minutes later 2 coordinators and a couple other Cast Members come down and were like "why are you doing this?!" and I said "because a manager asked me to" and they were like "yes, but I don't understand why you're doing this, are you SUPPOSED to be doing this?" and I said "well my position is stocking the gift shop, but a manager pulled me aside and asked me to do this" And then they were like "where did you get this stuff?! Because you can't stock glow carts from the stock room over here" and I said "I know, I was showed where the glow stock room was and I got this stuff from there"

and it was just a lot of stuff like that. It made me feel really stupid, and I felt like "because a manager told me to" was a good enough reason to be stocking the glow carts.

Or the other day, there was a protein spill and I promptly told the guy I was working with what had happened and got out to the nearest trash can to get some aromatic absorbent. The guy proceeded to call over some managers and run around like a chicken with his head cut off. By the time the managers had gotten there I had already poured the aromatic absorbent and was playing traffic guard while I waited for custodial or someone to bring me a pan and broom. The manager like darts at me, which was startling, and takes the absorbent away and goes "why do you have this? why why why do you know how to do this?" and I just told him that I had asked my trainer what do to, because I thought it would be useful information, and he just said "yeah...it is" and stared at me and then walked away. So I felt pretty crumby about doing what I supposed to do. And then it was another 20 minutes before he ever came back with pan and broom so I could sweep it up.

So it's things like that, I guess, that get to me. But then I've gotten several GSFs from managers who are willing to acknowledge that I'm doing a good job. It's getting better though, I can't really do anything about it, just do my job and hope that eventually everyone will start to realize that I know what I'm doing. Sometimes even CPs will treat me like I don't know how to do anything, so I guess you just have to put up with it, cause some people are just like that.

The situation you are describing comes from having too many chiefs and not enough braves in the workplace.