By Mary Thompson
One thing is for sure profits is suffering.
Anyone who’s ever taken a family vacation to any of the Disney Resorts can attest to the fact
that the phrase “budget friendly,” is practically non-existent. From the tickets to the food and
souvenirs, a family of four could easily end up spending a whopping $3,000 per day. With that
being said one would expect that the employees, otherwise known as “cast members” probably
get a pretty hefty pay check in exchange for their dedication to continually make the magic
come alive.
The reality is quite the opposite from magical fairies and singing blue birds.
It’s no secret that the economy is far from being in great shape. Unemployment is at an all-time
high and families are doing everything they can to stretch every dollar. One of the roots of the
issue is that just because people have jobs doesn’t mean they possess some financial security.
Since at the blink of an eye unemployment and financial instability can suddenly become a new
reality.
These massive layoffs that have started to become common practice are blamed most of the
time on slumping sales. The most typical of explanations comes from the fact that when
companies aren’t making a profit they simply can’t pay their employees a living wage.
That scripted response is what’s given to the doomed employees faced with the unfortunate
situation of losing their livelihood and the same goes for the public when these occurrences are
exposed. Seems viable right? After all, companies can’t dish out what they don’t have.
It’s not all that it seems to be…
Nevertheless, upon closer examination, the truth of the situation is far darker than anyone would
suspect. Despite the slim pickings so many American’s have these days. Companies such as
Disney who have reached a level of success others could only dream of have decided to lay off
hundreds of loyal employees. For all the wrong reasons.
Blame it on lack of profit and slow sales? Nope sorry not this time. Nevertheless, money
has been the driving force decision to basically ruin the financial outlook of hundreds of
employees.
It’s no secret to the Walt Disney Company, as it is with many other American companies. A
certain standard of living for their employees must be withheld. In order to uphold these workers
have to be paid a livable wage. This combined with salaries, medical/dental benefits and
retirement plans can run in the neighbourhood of billions of dollars.
It may seem unethical, but you can bet they’re not losing sleep over it…
In October 2014 250 Disney employees were forced to train their replacements who would
replace them since after which they were then laid off. For the simple fact that these
replacements were from third world nations and as a result would take a lower wage. In the
eyes of the Disney, they don’t know any better.
Maybe financially there’s something we’re just not seeing?
After trying to view this potentially life to alter decision from the different angles, unfortunately,
the conclusion is that it’s all about greed. Since it’s been uncovered that since 2010 Disney
stocks have been up 236 percent. Clearly, they’re not going under anytime soon.
So much for employee seniority and loyalty.
It seems to me that keeping on hard working loyal employees who have devoted their lives to
Disney would be cheaper than paying for H-1B visas in order to acquire new temporary
employees. I guess at the end of the day it sadly must be viable to charge ridiculously high
prices while having little to no regard for their own employees’ well-being.
Obviously, the persona they have put on of bringing families together is all but a front.
So before shelling out a few thousand dollars take a step back and think…
The Walt Disney company has held a warm place in a lot of people’s hearts that much is true.
With that said it really doesn’t make any sense to invest so much time and money into a
company which despite presenting it self to be family centred is causing loyal workers to lose
everything, they’ve worked hard for.
The magic’s gone and the pixie dust is all but a blur. There’s absolute, nothing
enchanted on the contrary it is all truly just make believe.
Which pretty much sums up the reality behind the parades, attractions and beloved fairy tale
characters that seem to come to life.
The happiest place on earth? Apparently, not if you work there.
Disney Disney Disney 