Wearing IDs on stage and off the clock

[steverails]

One thing that has bothered me to no end since I started working at WDW in 2004 has been CMs who visibly, no, blatantly wear their ID while on-stage and off the clock. Let us set a few things straight: First CMs on the clock wearing business dress (ie Managers, O and T, etc.) are required to display their IDs. Second, while backstage in civilian clothes, IDs are to be displayed. Once on-stage, however, they should disappear.

I honestly cannot stand CMs who walk through the park with their ID out. On an off day, aren't CMs supposed to be park Guests as well? Seriously, enjoy your time in the park! Furthermore, wearing your ID on-stage and off the clock is flat-out bad show for our Guests. Perhaps the most irritating behavior are CMs who not only display their ID on stage, but also are meddlesome and make it a point to let everyone know they are a CM. Furthermore, those who demand special treatment because of this are especially irritating. For instance, during a downtime at Monorails, a CM wearing their ID out wanted the "details" and the "nature" of the problem. After I gave him the same, general spiel I give all Guests, he held his ID up and said "Does this make a difference?" I replied "no, and please put that away." Even better, I caught a CM with their ID out at EE and asked him to put it away only to recieve the reply, "I'll put it away if you can show me a blue ID." I replied "I can arrange that" and my manager took care of him. Better yet are CMs who think their ID acts as an instant Fastpass. I have no problem hooking up a fellow CM, but please be discreet about it. Again, you're off the clock. Blend in, have fun, and TAKE YOUR ID OFF!

[DLRFantasmic!Dan]

The CMs response to ask for a Blue ID really burns my bridges. It's common sense and they should know not to display it. The CM IDs in public view just screams out "LOOK, I'M A CAST MEMBER!! LOOK AT ME!!!" to all the guests to know that they work there. That is one thing that I do not want to broadcast to the general public. Once again, I do not even think of using my Cast Member ID has a instant Fast Pass to bypass the very long lines. If the CMs are in the park as a guest, then they should behave and treated as a guest.

[Teddykeiko86]

It would always peeve me when new hires would come on their off day, wear street (ghetto) clothes, and wear the ID visably as they frolic and screw around in the park. Hello, you are representing our company like that? They also wear the name tags from Take 2 training.
They also would come to your attraction, flash their ID in your face and proceede to the gate A (fast pass) queue. Nowhere does it say that we have to give them gate A access. If they don't even ask nicely, they deffinatly don't get it. Also, I see KBF employees wearing their name tags at USH, when they are guests. I also see USH employees wearing ID at Disneyland. I don't get it!

[Shorty82]

It is against company policy to have your ID visible onstage while in costume or in street clothes and not working. When I'm in the park and not working and I go backstage for some reason my ID comes out as I'm going through the gate and is hidden again as I go back onstage. I have been known to tell off-duty CMs they need to hide their ID while onstage. That it is against policy to have it visible.

When at the parks as a guest you are a guest first and foremost. Your ID entitles you to entry into the park, the same FPs guests get, and discounts for merchandise and table-service food. It does not entitle you to any special treatment at all.

A related thing that annoys me are CMs who do not display their ID while backstage in street clothes as required. I've asked people for ID more than once while backstage and remind them they are required by company policy to have it displayed while backstage in street clothes. It hasn't happened but if anybody can't produce a WDW ID I will escort them back onstage. If anybody refuses to show me ID or to follow me back onstage I will call security.

One time I saw some security CMs talking to this woman who was backstage of Main Street but couldn't produce her ID. She had a blue Maingate but no ID and was giving the guards some trouble about it. I don't know what happened in the end but I assume she was either sent back onstage or was taken upstairs to the security offices.

I wish more CMs, especially management would check IDs backstage. One time I was heading backstage through the Buzz Lightyear gate. I saw a manager a little ways behind me also going back so I show my ID over my shoulder so he will know I'm cast. He thanked me and said he was going to ask me for it when I had shown it. I thanked him for checking and told him I wish more people would.

[felinefan]

I don't think the Knott's people are trying to look superior or anything when they wear their ID at other parks. Most likely, they're so overworked they probably forgot to take it off! They're so brainwashed by Knott's management that they can't do anything without being told. I used to work at Knott's, so I know whereof I speak. I got kicked out because I was my own person, who could see through their smokescreens, and that scared them so much they threw me out on my rear. Yeah, I'm dangerous! :D:

[Teddykeiko86]

Another thing is that CMs come into the park as guests, and then go into the off stage areas. They are off stage in street clothes messing around, no ID or name tag visable. Also, people come to the park on their off day with their kids and friends and they walk backstage, with the park stroller and walk around and eat at the employee grill. If you approch them they turn around and snap, saying that they work there and that they are visiting with family. I don't care how I up you are, and if you were that high up, you'd be dressed better, have your ID on, have better decorum (and your kids would too, because you told them to behave) and you'd probably know that it is not a good idea to bring kids backstage with smoking characters, speeding golf carts etc....
CMs that come on their off day are supposed to go to will call, show ID and get a ticket and go through the turnstiles. They instread enter through the employee entrance and go through the park that way. You notice them walking around before the park opens. Unforntunatly, I was frowned upon for telling random newbie CMs. that "I don't think you are supposed to do that, ( be here.... etc)" Whatever. I just found it really confussing that people in street clothes are walking around backstage, with no ID or name tag, looking like they are in no hurry or have no purpose. That's not safe. Plus all the on stage/ off stage doorways DID not say "EMPLOYEES ONLY". Very few places did. I asked my manager why we couldn't get a sign on the utility closet/ break room door that said EMPLOYEES ONLY, and he said that it is uninviting. Whatever. We don't want guests stepping on a loaded mouse trap, coming in the break room/lead "office" stealing radios .. etc. I think having EMPLOYEES ONLY sign is logical and reasonable.

[joanna71985]

It really irrates me when CMs off the clock are wearing their IDs out in public onstage. Especially since they are not supposed to. They are also told about wearing costumes half-on while on stage (which also irrates me) and about being backstage when not supposed to.

[Sarah Magdalene]

Why would anyone WANT to wear their ID on stage anyway?! I always felt that if guests saw it, they'd start bugging you with questions. I pulled out my ID while in a restaurant to pay with my discount, and the guy behind me started asking all sorts of things about me job. Being a friend and wanting to keep my identity, I had to conveniently lie and tell him I was a performer in Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade - which isn't THAT big of a lie. I've done it a few times as rope.

I hate having to take out my ID cause of such situations!

[joanna71985]

Why would anyone WANT to wear their ID on stage anyway?! I always felt that if guests saw it, they'd start bugging you with questions. I pulled out my ID while in a restaurant to pay with my discount, and the guy behind me started asking all sorts of things about me job. Being a friend and wanting to keep my identity, I had to conveniently lie and tell him I was a performer in Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade - which isn't THAT big of a lie. I've done it a few times as rope.

I hate having to take out my ID cause of such situations!

Heh, I don't need to have my ID out to be bugged. I get asked questions all the time when I am off and playing in the parks (I don't really considered it being bugged though).

That's weird that he was asking you those questions though.

[Terrytunes]

Another thing is that CMs come into the park as guests, and then go into the off stage areas. They are off stage in street clothes messing around, no ID or name tag visable. Also, people come to the park on their off day with their kids and friends and they walk backstage, with the park stroller and walk around and eat at the employee grill. If you approch them they turn around and snap, saying that they work there and that they are visiting with family. I don't care how I up you are, and if you were that high up, you'd be dressed better, have your ID on, have better decorum (and your kids would too, because you told them to behave) and you'd probably know that it is not a good idea to bring kids backstage with smoking characters, speeding golf carts etc....

Whoa!! Wait!! Bring their families backstage???!! I never even considered doing that. I would have thought I would have gotten fired on the spot for doing that. Why would someone even do that? Especially if you have small children with you!

TT