| USA TODAY
Disney vacation celebration ‘reimagined’ as COVID-19 pandemic continues
Disney vacation celebrations begin on November 6.
The Walt Disney Firm has elevated the variety of staff it can layoff because it continues to really feel the affect of the coronavirus pandemic.
On Thanksgiving Eve, the corporate revealed round 32,00Zero staff would lose their jobs within the first half of the 2021 fiscal yr. This determine consists of 28,00Zero staffers Disney mentioned in September it could lay off from its parks division.
“As a result of present local weather, together with COVID-19 impacts, and altering atmosphere during which we’re working, the Firm has generated efficiencies in its staffing, together with limiting hiring to vital enterprise roles, furloughs and reductions-in-force,” Disney mentioned in a Securities and Change Fee submitting Wednesday.
Disney cruises suspensions proceed: Disney Cruise Line, P&O Cruises prolong COVID-19 crusing suspension into 2021
Disney’s Park Hopper Perks: Disney World is bringing again Park Hopper perks subsequent yr
The extra layoffs come after Disney executives slammed California officers earlier this month for not permitting Disneyland to reopen, maybe for months. The California park has been closed since March.
Disney reported an almost $600 million loss for its fourth quarter.
Disney’s parks, merchandise and experiences section misplaced $1.1 billion within the quarter, as Disneyland stays closed and different parks function beneath capability. The corporate’s cruise ship operations, that are a part of the section, stay shut down.
“It’s been a yr in contrast to every other in our lifetimes, and definitely within the historical past of the Walt Disney Co.,” CEO Bob Chapek mentioned earlier this month.
Within the SEC submitting, Disney mentioned as of Oct. 3, “roughly 37,00Zero staff who are usually not scheduled for employment termination have been on furlough on account of COVID-19’s affect on our companies.”
Florida’s Disney World reopened in July, however Disneyland has but to reopen.
“As a few of our companies have reopened, we now have incurred further prices to deal with authorities rules and the security of our staff, expertise and friends,” the corporate mentioned within the submitting. “The reopening or closure of our companies depends on relevant authorities necessities, which range by location, are topic to ongoing adjustments, which might outcome from growing COVID-19 instances.”
The corporate says it employed round 203,00Zero individuals as of Oct. 3, with its international workforce comprised of round 80% full-time staff and 20% part-time staff. Round 155,00Zero staff work within the parks, experiences and merchandise section.
These cutbacks might have an effect on friends, consultants advised USA TODAY.
“As laborious as they attempt to make these cutbacks solely have an effect on behind-the-scenes points, it will definitely involves the visitor,” Dennis Speigel, founder and CEO of Worldwide Theme Park Companies, mentioned in September. “And by that, I imply providers and expertise.”
Contributing: David Oliver and Curtis Tate, USA TODAY
Observe USA TODAY reporter Kelly Tyko on Twitter: @KellyTyko
