Newest SET member:

[pattimelt]

Is a fellow VP(vacation planner) who isn't really impressed with the new clock rules.

We all know she's kinda off her rocker to begin with, but this incident might have been the straw that broke the camel's back.

The new clock rules took effect on Monday. We now MUST clock out at our booths then use our time to walk to the closest break area to have lunch or breaks. Well, this idiot decided that if she had to clock out at the booth, she was on her time, so she "made her statement" on the idiocy of the new rules. Once she punched out for lunch, she stood in the esplanade, lit a cigarette(in the smoking area, mind you), drank her coffee and used her cell phone. All while in costume.

And yes, another cast member busted her to a lead, who called a manager-- where it was not handled because at that time we were swamped and they were busy with other guest concerns.

Supposedly, the union rep was supposed to meet with the crazy cm yesterday, and I have not yet heard if she will be reprimanded for her actions, but once I do, I'll let you all know.

[ktulu]

The new clock rules took effect on Monday. We now MUST clock out at our booths then use our time to walk to the closest break area to have lunch or breaks. Well, this idiot decided that if she had to clock out at the booth, she was on her time, so she "made her statement" on the idiocy of the new rules. Once she punched out for lunch, she stood in the esplanade, lit a cigarette(in the smoking area, mind you), drank her coffee and used her cell phone. All while in costume.

I'm torn. First, the new rule seems silly about clocking out at the booth. How long is the walk?

However, the first thought that comes to mind is "bad show." She should have found another way to express her displeasure with the new rule, guests don't need to be a part of it.

[pattimelt]

I'm torn. First, the new rule seems silly about clocking out at the booth. How long is the walk?

However, the first thought that comes to mind is "bad show." She should have found another way to express her displeasure with the new rule, guests don't need to be a part of it.

The walk isn't that far. The problem being, we're supposedly 'on our own time', but then we have to walk thru the esplanade with guests who stop us to ask questions, etc, and that eats at our break and lunch times. It's normally a quick couple minute walk(if that), but when you get stopped by a guest, and that time comes out of your break, well, your "15 minute non tasking break" becomes a 5 minute break and 10 minutes of talking to guests. And don't come back late, or someone will have a cow.

And, God forbid, you should get stopped by a guest that needs a long explanation while you're on your lunch!! If you do not punch in right at 30 minutes, you not only get your pay docked, you also get a point and a half for being late!!!!!!!

I know I wouldn't have a problem with the new rules if there was an area we could go to where we didn't have to walk thru guests to get there(like when I work at the Guest Services Building--the break area is out the back door!), but while I see her point, there should have been another way to make that point. I agree with the point she wanted to make, I just don't agree with the WAY she decided to make that point, if you get my drift.

I understand we only get 30 minutes for lunch--but when you have to spend 5 minutes of it walking thru guests to get to a break area(that doesn't count time answering questions), after just a week, you're giving up a full lunch period to talk to guests instead of having some down time. And right now, with most of us working 6 days due to spring break, that 30 minutes of down time is needed to keep our sanity.

[DisneyMom]

It Does seem unfair that you have to deal with guests to and from any break area on your own time....especially when you only have 30 min for lunch. Is there anyway to "time" the amount of service you give to guests on your break, and make it up? If not, I would think Disney either should allow you to tell a guest that you couldn't help them on your break or Disney would be in violation of some labor law.....Hope I don't get my AP revoked for saying this!

[Big Wallaby]

I just don't agree with the WAY she decided to make that point, if you get my drift.

...And right now, with most of us working 6 days due to spring break, that 30 minutes of down time is needed to keep our sanity.

I fully understand what you are saying. At Safari, we deal with the same thing. I've literally started my lunch a half hour late, or taken fifteen minutes getting back to base from lunch because of helping guests (which, I am never going to not do). Basically, they need to give us a way to not be on stage when not on the clock. One thing they did very, very nicely at Magic Kingdom with the Utilidors.

[Princess Susi]

That ain't right. CM's need a way to get their break without having to go through a sea of guests. There is ALWAYS a guest who is going to see a costume and want help. It is not fair for you guys to have to give up break time and it could be brought to the company's attention that it is illegal for them NOT to give you your full breaks. The fact that you have costumes and have to walk through "On Stage" areas, is pretty sneaky move by the company. Break time is a real stickler with labor laws. You are NOT supposed to be working on your break AT ALL. YOu are OFF the clock and it is your time. NOT Disney's time, YOUR time. That 30 minutes not only helps you save your sanity, it is THE LAW! They need to fix that real quick!
sues

[BRWombat]

That ain't right. CM's need a way to get their break without having to go through a sea of guests. There is ALWAYS a guest who is going to see a costume and want help. It is not fair for you guys to have to give up break time and it could be brought to the company's attention that it is illegal for them NOT to give you your full breaks. The fact that you have costumes and have to walk through "On Stage" areas, is pretty sneaky move by the company. Break time is a real stickler with labor laws. You are NOT supposed to be working on your break AT ALL. YOu are OFF the clock and it is your time. NOT Disney's time, YOUR time. That 30 minutes not only helps you save your sanity, it is THE LAW! They need to fix that real quick!
sues

The sad thing is, Disney can easily respond that the CM's are not required to respond to guests, and therefore any work the CM does is voluntary. Puts our beloved BW and other CMs in a pretty bad situation -- either assert their rights to not work and blow off guests in the process, or do the helping that comes naturally to them and lose their break time. :mad:

[lady ulrike]

This is the world that attractions CMs have been living in for about 6 years. It's really not that big of a deal, I walk through half the park usually to get my lunch and it's not really a problem. You just walk quickly and most guests don't even notice you're there. I've also never had a problem with being a little late and just telling the lead that I got stopped by several guests or one with a very long explanation needed or whatever the situation may be. I do realize that with the new lunch clocks thing it's a little tougher, but again I've only been late back from my lunch a couple of times and only by a minute or two when it has happened and I used to walk from Mickey's House to the Inn Between on my lunches (for those non-CMs, the Inn Between is between Star Tours and Plaza Inn)

[Princess Susi]

I suppose if a cast member walked by and a guest said "I need help." and the cast member said "I am on my break." and did not help them, you can be sure that cast member is probably going to get reported to City Hall.

It is Disney's reputation that their Cast Members ALWAYs are helpful and make magic. This lamedbrained decision is taking away cast member's break time.

I guess I am so passionate about breaks, because all my life I had different employers that impinged on them. I would have to LEAVE the premises of the place I was working to get away from questions from co-workers and customers. It irked to me no end and people NEED their breaks. Many times I lost mine and the emplyer wasn't about to give me compensation for them, if I were officially clocked out.

I would have to be one who would say I am on a break, but try to point out the nearest CM to them. What if a guest says, "Then why are you out here in the Park, if you are on your break?" What do you say? They may be an SG and call you a liar that you are on your break, you just don't want to help them!

And even if it is NOT a SG, there will be a problem. Guests are gonna be upset or confused when you tell them you're on a break. They expect to see CMs that will help them and if you do, there goes your break! It brings the *Real World* into Disney Parks by saying you are on a break and it certainly reminds people that this is work for some.

The CM loses whichever way you look at it. It is a different situation here because the CMs wear COSTUMES and Disney management KNOWS that guests ask questions of anyone in a costume. They also EXPECT their CMs to be helpful and hold up the Disney Magic. They changed it knowing full well that CMs are EXPECTED to treat guests a certain way and to do any different will get you in trouble. CMs cannot win.
I would definitely make noise to the higher ups that it impinges upon break time.

Maybe it is time for another strike! :twisted: JUST KIDDING!
suesmouse

[GuestJockey]

The new clock rules are ridiculous. Try working around them when you're on a VIP tour - it's impossible.

Do I tell my guests, "Excuse me, Mr. Depp, I have to go take a state-mandated task-free 30 minutes. Just stay on the Sub and you'll be fine."

Do I introduce a breaker? "This is Cindy, I know you just got comfortable with me, but she's gonna hang out with you guys for 30 minutes, then I'll be back. Have fun!"

Do I put them on Space, run off-stage and clock out for a lunch, go back to work, and then hope we're near a clock 30 minutes later so I can put them on HM and run to clock back in? It all sounds very "task-free".

Screw the new clock rules, I'll miss being a CM, but I'd rather get points than do any of the last 3 options.