A Big part of the Big Problem... Staffing

[cdobert]

I'm a high school teacher. My community has many help wanted signs posted on local businesses. My students can't get jobs...I agree with an earlier poster-companies are minimizing costs by not hiring.

 

[CamillaF]

There is a simple solution. Pay people….a …..decent……wage.

Not too many jobs open out there that pay 20-25 an hour or more.

Not correct! My staff start at $50k a year with full benefits and are raised to 70k within 2 years. No degree required. We offer paid training for a specialized skill. Yes I am getting good candidates but it’s 1-2 a month, nearly all word of mouth. I was a lucky businesswoman and kept all of my staff for 2 years of Covid. But after 2 years of dealing with the public (people have gotten noticeably mean), masks and pandemic life some of them gave their notice. Now I am down 10 people. I used to be able to hire that many good people in a month or two. Now I am hopping to be fully staffed by next year.

 

[xipotec]

Not correct! My staff start at $50k a year with full benefits and are raised to 70k within 2 years. No degree required. We offer paid training for a specialized skill. Yes I am getting good candidates but it’s 1-2 a month, nearly all word of mouth. I was a lucky businesswoman and kept all of my staff for 2 years of Covid. But after 2 years of dealing with the public (people have gotten noticeably mean), masks and pandemic life some of them gave their notice. Now I am down 10 people. I used to be able to hire that many good people in a month or two. Now I am hopping to be fully staffed by next year.

This is not the norm….and if your paying that much and people are still
leaving…..maybe time to fire some customers!!

 

[PepperjackDragon]

I agree. But it’s also a catch 22. If Disney increases wages, that means more price increases, which fans already hate.

If the current profit margins are based on exploiting a vulnerable labor force then that isn’t really a rationale argument at all (not Disney specifically but where). Of course Disney could obviously just raise prices even more than the impact from wages and still be thriving, probably be better as the lack of quality services is going to put the brand in jeopardy eventually.

 

[PepperjackDragon]

Not correct! My staff start at $50k a year with full benefits and are raised to 70k within 2 years. No degree required. We offer paid training for a specialized skill. Yes I am getting good candidates but it’s 1-2 a month, nearly all word of mouth. I was a lucky businesswoman and kept all of my staff for 2 years of Covid. But after 2 years of dealing with the public (people have gotten noticeably mean), masks and pandemic life some of them gave their notice. Now I am down 10 people. I used to be able to hire that many good people in a month or two. Now I am hopping to be fully staffed by next year.

are you in manufacturing or located in a major city where 50k is not really going to cut it?

 

[CamillaF]

I am in the health and beauty industry. Not manufacturing. My staff are burnt out. The ones that gave their notice had moved during Covid and wanted jobs closer to home, took new jobs in completely different fields, went back to school, mental health issues or had childcare issues. Not one person left because they could get a job for more money. We also gladly fire clients if they become an issue. All I am trying to say is that the last few years have been HARD on people who work with the public. Many of the people who worked with the public spent the time during Covid to figure out what else they wanted to do. It takes time to hire and train I would not be surprised if it took Disney over a year longer to be fully staffed….. even longer if the public is not nicer. Yes pay helps but paying more will not get you fantastic, trained, experienced employees over night. That takes time.

 

[BadPinkTink]

I just found this video on YouTube. A girl who just recently quite her college program position at Walt Disney World.

Its a bit of a rambling video but the main points

In before times college program applicants had a phone based interview as part of the application process. They could specify which roles they had high interest in, low interest in or no interest in. Disney were then able to place people in roles which suited them, which meant there was a high number of college program people who not only enjoyed their position but also stayed in their position for the full contract.

This has now changed. The phone based interview is not happening and college program applicants do not get a chance during the application process to specify their preference for roles. Disney are just placing people in whatever roles they need filled, as there is such a huge staffing problem right now. This is leading to a high dissatisfaction with the college program people and many are quitting or self terming before the end of their contracts.

Many people at Disney are working 50 to 60 hours a week or working 14 days in a row due to Disney being so short staffed.

The role she was given was as assistant housekeeper at Port Orleans. The job involved a lot of heavy lifting and physical work which she was not able to do due to her height and weight as she is a petite person. She also has a pre existing health condition, which Disney knew about as she had filled in the forms, that meant that she could not be a job which evolved heavy lifting. She was placed in this job even though it was totally unsuitable for her.

It was only when she went to her manager and said I cant do this because of my health condition which is in my file, that HR told her to go home and that she would be moved to a different role. She was out of work for 6 weeks, and not being paid, waiting to hear from Disney HR.

After 6 weeks, her manager in housekeeping offered her a modified role without the heavy lifting in the housekeeping department while she was waiting for HR to move her to a more suitable role, which meant at least she would be earning money again. She was assigned to the do the room inspections at Port Orleans. She did this for 2 months while still waiting for HR to move her. It was basically a part time job , with less hours than a regular housekeeping job. Less hours meant less money.

HR saw she was back in the housekeeping department and refused to move her to a different role.

She managed to get another job with another company and left Disney.

 

[New Mouse]

are you in manufacturing or located in a major city where 50k is not really going to cut it?

50k is just getting by barely in most places.

 

[New Mouse]

I just found this video on YouTube. A girl who just recently quite her college program position at Walt Disney World.

Its a bit of a rambling video but the main points

In before times college program applicants had a phone based interview as part of the application process. They could specify which roles they had high interest in, low interest in or no interest in. Disney were then able to place people in roles which suited them, which meant there was a high number of college program people who not only enjoyed their position but also stayed in their position for the full contract.

This has now changed. The phone based interview is not happening and college program applicants do not get a chance during the application process to specify their preference for roles. Disney are just placing people in whatever roles they need filled, as there is such a huge staffing problem right now. This is leading to a high dissatisfaction with the college program people and many are quitting or self terming before the end of their contracts.

Many people at Disney are working 50 to 60 hours a week or working 14 days in a row due to Disney being so short staffed.

The role she was given was as assistant housekeeper at Port Orleans. The job involved a lot of heavy lifting and physical work which she was not able to do due to her height and weight as she is a petite person. She also has a pre existing health condition, which Disney knew about as she had filled in the forms, that meant that she could not be a job which evolved heavy lifting. She was placed in this job even though it was totally unsuitable for her.

It was only when she went to her manager and said I cant do this because of my health condition which is in my file, that HR told her to go home and that she would be moved to a different role. She was out of work for 6 weeks, and not being paid, waiting to hear from Disney HR.

After 6 weeks, her manager in housekeeping offered her a modified role without the heavy lifting in the housekeeping department while she was waiting for HR to move her to a more suitable role, which meant at least she would be earning money again. She was assigned to the do the room inspections at Port Orleans. She did this for 2 months while still waiting for HR to move her. It was basically a part time job , with less hours than a regular housekeeping job. Less hours meant less money.

HR saw she was back in the housekeeping department and refused to move her to a different role.

She managed to get another job with another company and left Disney.

As of recent years, Disney almost never placed college program participants into roles they wanted or were capable of doing. Yeah they asked in the past but that survey was basically never followed. This isn't anything new, they'd place them where the need was.

As for work restrictions I would be shocked if they didn't pay them while Disney told them to stay home as they are required to provide minimal hours to meet the housing costs. Sounds like something more going on there.

It is and has always been a thankless internship that was typically appreciated based off of what you made out of it. I'd imagine these days it's much harder to find a silver lining with the expectations the oblivious Disney upper management puts on them.

 

[HIRyeDVC]

I just found this video on YouTube. A girl who just recently quite her college program position at Walt Disney World.

Its a bit of a rambling video but the main points

In before times college program applicants had a phone based interview as part of the application process. They could specify which roles they had high interest in, low interest in or no interest in. Disney were then able to place people in roles which suited them, which meant there was a high number of college program people who not only enjoyed their position but also stayed in their position for the full contract.

This has now changed. The phone based interview is not happening and college program applicants do not get a chance during the application process to specify their preference for roles. Disney are just placing people in whatever roles they need filled, as there is such a huge staffing problem right now. This is leading to a high dissatisfaction with the college program people and many are quitting or self terming before the end of their contracts.

Many people at Disney are working 50 to 60 hours a week or working 14 days in a row due to Disney being so short staffed.

The role she was given was as assistant housekeeper at Port Orleans. The job involved a lot of heavy lifting and physical work which she was not able to do due to her height and weight as she is a petite person. She also has a pre existing health condition, which Disney knew about as she had filled in the forms, that meant that she could not be a job which evolved heavy lifting. She was placed in this job even though it was totally unsuitable for her.

It was only when she went to her manager and said I cant do this because of my health condition which is in my file, that HR told her to go home and that she would be moved to a different role. She was out of work for 6 weeks, and not being paid, waiting to hear from Disney HR.

After 6 weeks, her manager in housekeeping offered her a modified role without the heavy lifting in the housekeeping department while she was waiting for HR to move her to a more suitable role, which meant at least she would be earning money again. She was assigned to the do the room inspections at Port Orleans. She did this for 2 months while still waiting for HR to move her. It was basically a part time job , with less hours than a regular housekeeping job. Less hours meant less money.

HR saw she was back in the housekeeping department and refused to move her to a different role.

She managed to get another job with another company and left Disney.

The college program has been Disney’s main tool to source young cheap labor for decades. With the proliferation of social media, I think young kids don’t want to work physically taxing jobs for low pay. It’s a different generation. They’d rather make money being social influencers on YouTube, TikTok, or instagram. This video is case in point.

 

[glocon]

The college program has been Disney’s main tool to source young cheap labor for decades. With the proliferation of social media, I think young kids don’t want to work physically taxing jobs for low pay. It’s a different generation. They’d rather make money being social influencers on YouTube, TikTok, or instagram. This video is case in point.

This is so true. And many seem to fall into this at the whim of the watchers and do quite well.
The workforce out there is going to have to figure out how to work around this and I really don’t see it changing. Everything is evolving so quickly and employers are going to have to figure out what to do to get employees in this new world.

 

[HIRyeDVC]

This is so true. And many seem to fall into this at the whim of the watchers and do quite well.
The workforce out there is going to have to figure out how to work around this and I really don’t see it changing. Everything is evolving so quickly and employers are going to have to figure out what to do to get employees in this new world.

We’re going to haveto become like Japan in a way. Japan has had this issue for decades mainly because people don’t get married and have kids, generally. Over there, when I go to a restaurant, I walk up to a machine and make my order. The machine gives me a ticket. I take the ticket to the kitchen counter and give it to the cook. When my meal is ready, he calls my number. I walk up, pick up my food on a tray and sit and enjoy my food. I even go get my own water. After my meal, I separate my own dishes, utensils and trash on the conveyor belt. No hostess, waiter/waitress, and buss boy necessary. The same concept can be applied for other industries. I honestly do not need a person to wait on me hand and foot. I think the American consumer will haveto change our expectations on the level of service. If not, we will haveto pay a lot more money. There’s a reason why health care is the most expensive in our country. Doctors, nurses, and health care workers in general are one of the highest paid jobs in America.

 

[Together at Disney]

Not correct! My staff start at $50k a year with full benefits and are raised to 70k within 2 years. No degree required. We offer paid training for a specialized skill. Yes I am getting good candidates but it’s 1-2 a month, nearly all word of mouth. I was a lucky businesswoman and kept all of my staff for 2 years of Covid. But after 2 years of dealing with the public (people have gotten noticeably mean), masks and pandemic life some of them gave their notice. Now I am down 10 people. I used to be able to hire that many good people in a month or two. Now I am hopping to be fully staffed by next year.

Where is this company?!?! And what skillset ??
Also, Disney could allow many positions to be remote ( and not just living in Florida). This would give a great amount of candidates. There is no need for reservations cast etc. to be living in Florida. From what I was recently told by a call center cast - if on occasion they find it necessary for additional help, it is a third party that they get and they live anywhere in the U.S. These cast should definitely be genuine cast members and not an outside party that may or may not have knowledge of the Disney product and most importantly the training to provide Magical service to guests.

 

[tileman]

Been in business for myself doing commercial flooring can not find any young ones that want to learn as a helper 15.00 a hour to start
And after a few hot days here in Florida they just don’t show up. Got a lot off feedback of my back hurts to much they say or it’s to hot.
Not a lot of younger people want to work unless it’s in a building with AC and behind a computer. Each there own.
I’ve been doing it since I’ve been 17 and I’m 56 now not dead yet.

 

[bbeagle]

Been in business for myself doing commercial flooring can not find any young ones that want to learn as a helper 15.00 a hour to start
And after a few hot days here in Florida they just don’t show up. Got a lot off feedback of my back hurts to much they say or it’s to hot.
Not a lot of younger people want to work unless it’s in a building with AC and behind a computer. Each there own.
I’ve been doing it since I’ve been 17 and I’m 56 now not dead yet.

why would anyone want to work outside, sweat, go home with a hurt back for the SAME MONEY as sitting in an office with AC all day?

Kids now have choices we didn’t have when we were kids. my choice was basically McDonalds, or a grocery store. Now they can drive an Amazon/FedEx/UPS truck, they can sort of work for themselves by driving an Uber, they can try to make money making YouTube or TikTok videos, work behind a PC in an office.

Why would anyone bust their butt for the same money as not busting their butt?

 

[tileman]

why would anyone want to work outside, sweat, go home with a hurt back for the SAME MONEY as sitting in an office with AC all day?

Kids now have choices we didn’t have when we were kids. my choice was basically McDonalds, or a grocery store. Now they can drive an Amazon/FedEx/UPS truck, they can sort of work for themselves by driving an Uber, they can try to make money making YouTube or TikTok videos, work behind a PC in an office.

Why would anyone bust their butt for the same money as not busting their butt?

Ok good point but then why answer the job
Ad then what you think flooring is ???
I don’t blame them if there’s easier way to make money its completely understandable.
But kids not all are very soft and needy just look at the news it’s a give me what I have not earned.
I think I’m today’s world we need more Christ in life less video games or YouTube
It’s a sin problem in this world.

 

[HIRyeDVC]

Ok good point but then why answer the job
Ad then what you think flooring is ???
I don’t blame them if there’s easier way to make money its completely understandable.
But kids not all are very soft and needy just look at the news it’s a give me what I have not earned.
I think I’m today’s world we need more Christ in life less video games or YouTube
It’s a sin problem in this world.

I think it’s just a different time. One can say people who grew up in the 80’s are ”softer” than those who grew up in the 50’s. The same who grew up in the 30’s. Technology and social trends change the way we work and live. We are probably at a precipice on how people work and live.

 

[xdan0920]

There is a simple solution. Pay people….a …..decent……wage.

Not too many jobs open out there that pay 20-25 an hour or more.

Wish this were true.

 

[xdan0920]

why would anyone want to work outside, sweat, go home with a hurt back for the SAME MONEY as sitting in an office with AC all day?

Kids now have choices we didn’t have when we were kids. my choice was basically McDonalds, or a grocery store. Now they can drive an Amazon/FedEx/UPS truck, they can sort of work for themselves by driving an Uber, they can try to make money making YouTube or TikTok videos, work behind a PC in an office.

Why would anyone bust their butt for the same money as not busting their butt?

Because there is a future in busting your butt. “Maybe making money on YouTube” isn’t a plan for the future.

 

[umichigan10]

Because there is a future in busting your butt. “Maybe making money on YouTube” isn’t a plan for the future.

Yeah but the OP was saying that there’s a lot more “gig” work doing Uber, doordash or the like now vs back then. And seeing as so many jobs are sticklers about offering real benefits like health care until a certain time period, or even gaming the system so they don’t even have to offer it at all, people are drawing the line and saying no. Companies need to evolve with the changing labor market, and theyre kicking and screaming from doing so