A Note To Dlr Upper Upper Management

[BirdMom]

So stupid that they are not looking at the big picture. One of the guest's favorite CM's - a gal who had compiled tons of compliments over the years and genuinely loved working there - was fired over this stupid policy. So what if she was a few minutes late now and then. She could deal with being on a spiel ride for months on end and not get grumpy about it. She is a genuine people person, which some of us had to work at. But no - the park let a star go because they were going to get nitpicky. That just proves to me that no one is safe there these days.

[melmel]

I think we should be given a 15 minute window on being late, esp if we have to cross Main Street, given shuttle difficulties, walk time, weather, and getting asked dumb questions by guests on Main Street. But of course you wouldn't be paid for this "missed time".

But really, it's not all that much to expect that we arrive on time to our jobs, a majority of the time.

But man, the last thing I want Disneyland to do is lower their standards... have you SEEN some of the new on-stage CMs? They don't even speak fluent English! I always thought that was a BIG requirement.

Lowering the standards is not the solution-- increasing the pay and becoming more selective again is.

[Bytemaster]

Everyone at Disneyland should just start using public transportation to get to work. Under California state laws, if an employee is late due to the public transportation being late (or full, I believe), the employee can not have any negative effects.

I believe they can not pay you for the time you were not their, but they can't count it as being late for your record.

I don't know if the law applys to employer-owned transportation or not, such as the CM shuttle, but I can find out.

[CBeilby]

Everyone at Disneyland should just start using public transportation to get to work. Under California state laws, if an employee is late due to the public transportation being late (or full, I believe), the employee can not have any negative effects.

I believe they can not pay you for the time you were not their, but they can't count it as being late for your record.

I don't know if the law applys to employer-owned transportation or not, such as the CM shuttle, but I can find out.

Could you cite the relevant law, please?

[SRT_GB]

I don't know if the law applys to employer-owned transportation or not, such as the CM shuttle, but I can find out.

According to union contract you cannot be penalized if the K-Lot shuttle is in an accident or has a mechanical breakdown. I'm sure they'll only pay you for the time you actually work once you do get there, but you don't get 1.5 points on your record. Unfortunately if you're late because the shuttle was stuck in traffic or if you waited a long time for the shuttle, you're at their mercy.

I've also heard somewhere that if there's a transportation issue that will cause a lot of CMs across the resort to be late or absent (e.g., a huge accident shuts down the 5 or 57) those CMs can't be penalized. I've also been told if an act of God prevents you from getting to work (e.g., a flood shuts down the only street leading to your house) you can't be penalized. Again, they would probably only pay you for the time you actually work, but no points on your record.

[ameryth74]

This sounds like a sad state of affairs. :( I think it's awful that such a decorated cast member lost their job because of this policy.... I personally make it a point to write compliments to reward those CM's that are out there making magic despite the working conditions. I also agree with the statement that disney needs to be more selective... They seem to be hiring on the basis of availability only and not on experience or personality or whatever. I have 7 years experience with the Disney Stores (and I happen to be overflowing with Disney spirit...lol) and when I moved to Orange County a couple years ago, I went to the casting center to apply for part time work on nights and weekends when I wasn't at my "normal/day" job. They wouldn't even talk to me because I didn't have full availability. I couldn't believe it. I think they are missing out on a lot of great people.. and apparently they are mistreating and/or alienating those who they did manage to hire. Keep your chins up... you are doing Walt's work! :D:

[SRT_GB]

Didn't find any state law on the subject but I found this on page 52 of the union contract that covers pretty much the entire park except Foods/ODV, and expires March 15, 2006.

Employees required to park at a designated parking lot where the Employer provides a "shuttle" service to transfer employees from the designated parking lot to the work place, shall not be held responsible for any tardies that occur as a result of the "shuttle" service having a mechanical breakdown, malfunction, becoming nonoperational due to driver negligence, or other reasons beyond the control of the employees after boarding the "shuttle."

[saidthekat]

"after boarding the shuttle"....

so we are responsible if we're forced to wait 20+ minutes for a shuttle to pick us up at K-Lot....

[SRT_GB]

so we are responsible if we're forced to wait 20+ minutes for a shuttle to pick us up at K-Lot....

Unfortunately, yes. As a former K-Lot parker myself, I know how much this sucks. They always say that they're trying to improve or streamline the shuttle service blah blah blah but in reality the company that operates the shuttles is still prone to people not showing up for work, being short-staffed, shuttles needing to be fueled up, etc.

This is from the same union contract, on page 59:

It is the sole responsibility of the employee to arrive at any designated employee parking lot in a timely manner which allows him or her to arrive at his or her designated work location at the start of their shift, in costume, fully prepared to start work.

I'm not trying to defend the company and/or the union, just pointing out what the policy is.

[americawestguy]

Wow! i keep thinking it would be fun to still work at Disneyland. I miss it all the time, but now maybe it is best I am not there anymore. It is sad that Disneyland is making USAIRWAYS-America West(where I work now) look really good and a fine employer!