Walt Disney World is operating at a meager profit, or at the very least exceeding variable costs, according to CEO Bob Chapek. Still, thousands of Cast Members, including performers, events staff, and more, are still furloughed at this time due to limited park hours and operations. Today, Cast Members are being notified of ongoing, extended furloughs at Walt Disney World.
Cast Members were informed via email of the extensions. Ongoing furloughs may extend as late into November, but may vary based on position and seniority. Do note that this is more of a reiteration of ongoing, indefinite furloughs. While many Cast Members thought they would return sooner, the company is letting them know the furlough period will be longer than initially expected.
Layoffs were long rumored for the company amidst the detrimental effects of COVID-19 on the theme park and entertainment industry as a whole, but it seems that for now, furlough extensions are the lesser of these two evils.
This news comes fresh on the heels of the announcement that Walt Disney Company senior executives, like CEO Bob Chapek and Chairman Bob Iger, would be having their salaries replenished after a series of pay cuts back in March. The salary cuts were meant to be temporary, and were to remain in effect until the company saw “a substantive recovery in business.”
In compliance with the WARN act furloughed employees received notification that their furlough may last longer than six months, which must be told to them 60 days before the six month mark. This is not an “extension” of furloughs, furloughs do not have an end date, this is just a notification in compliance with the law.
That goodness the executives got their full pay back I can’t imagine how they managed without the full six figures.
Seven figures, you paltry peasant.
Oh, I’m sure it’s 7 figs
I’ve just decided to cancel our annual November trip. Not worth it to go down there and leave the parks at ~6pm. Seems like a locals-only place for now. If they’re filling it to their current capacity with shortened hours, then I guess this makes sense.
thank you, I guess my furlough will be transformed into a permanent layoff with this thought process.
It seems that Disney has found a loophole to not pay anyone anything. With an indefinite furlough no severance or packages have to be paid~ they can just leave people in limbo. And it’s not just entertainers or food servers, it’s management and cast members that have been there for years. It speaks volumes that executive salaries are back while those who work so hard to make the magic are in line for food banks. As a spouse of a cast member I am so disappointed with all of this. 😫
35 years for me….still on furlough