Massive Layoffs Hit WDW

[felinefan]

Knott's walks out people who are fired too. But when they walked me out, I was supposedly sent home until an investigation took place. (Bathroom emergency, was at the train, near opening, couldn't take the train out when I was supposed to, told my coworker to call our supervisor to help get the train out, and later was told I was on a Final for abandoning my post. Hey, sorry I can't hold it, okay?)

[Shorty82]

MSE management didn't get hit to hard here. Mostly, it's a restructuring.

Our Area Manager is moving over to Epcot as is one of my GSMs.

Two of my GSMs were on TAs and their assignments have been ended. One is returning to the land he's from originally to coordinate while the other is apparently becoming a regular CM and going seasonal but we don't know where yet.

Another GSM was laid off but was given some kind of option that would allow him to remain with the company if he chooses it.

We're getting a new Area Manager (but she's been with the company a long time and knows what she's doing) and a few of the Cast Service Managers who weren't laid off are coming in as managers.

So only one layoff and then only if he chooses that over whatever the option he was given was and a bunch of moving of managers around the company. We're losing some very good people but at least they all are still employed by Disney. The GSM moving to Epcot has been on MSE for a long time so her leaving is very sad for a lot of people and her.

I'm going to miss all of the managers that are leaving, they're good people. At least they gave the one manager some kind of option to stay on with the company. I hope he takes it as he's definitely an asset to the company.

[hobie16]

1900 jobs lost.

[jerlove]

To those of you affected by these lay offs, I wish you all of the best and hope you find something else that you love as much as what your are doing today.

[turkeyham]

I have heard they are letting go of those with the BLUE ID's? Is this true?

[Shorty82]

I have heard they are letting go of those with the BLUE ID's? Is this true?

Yeah, naturally, for multiple reasons.

1. The company is top heavy and has been for years I understand. The layoffs are being used to make the company less top heavy and to streamline operations.
2. Sometimes getting rid of one salaried person can save enough money in wages and benefits to pay a few regular employees.
3. The company understands that it is the front-line cast that actually bring in the money. They understand that it is, in part, the front-line cast providing excellent guest service that has brought the company to where it is today and what gets people to come and spend money at the parks. This makes the front-line cast a lot less expendable and the company knows it.
4. Continuing from 3, the company can get rid of a bunch salaried cast without affecting day-to-day operations as much as getting rid of a bunch of the hourly CMs would.

[hobie16]

Sometimes getting rid of one salaried person can save enough money in wages and benefits to pay a few regular employees.

Look at the fully burdened cost (base salary x two) to figure out what the true employee expense is.

[turkeyham]

That's good to know. Thanks. Shorty82, what is happening with the Monorail cast members? Are they under a different contract? Are they effected with the lay offs? I hope they are not, I would be said if it happened.

[Shorty82]

That's good to know. Thanks. Shorty82, what is happening with the Monorail cast members? Are they under a different contract? Are they effected with the lay offs? I hope they are not, I would be said if it happened.

I'm sure their management was affected at least a little (I'd be surprised if they weren't). AFAIK no CMs in any union covered position was laid off. The lay-offs affected primarily salaried cast (none of which are union I believe) and I heard about a few Office & Technical hourly CMs that got laid off (O&T isn't covered by the unions).

[joanna71985]

I don't know how many leaders left from entertainment. I'm almost afraid to ask my friend. :(