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.”
