A Big part of the Big Problem... Staffing

[HIRyeDVC]

Companies need to evolve with the changing labor market, and theyre kicking and screaming from doing so

yes, if companies don’t evolve, they will die like blockbusters

 

[KayMichigan]

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

I wouldn't hold up Amazon as a great example. They have a terrible reputation with workers.

I heard a caller on a radio show who claimed they'd worked as an Amazon driver. You're given so many deliveries to make in a day. He said yeah, you get lunch and breaks, but the problem is that if you take time out for lunch and breaks, you won't finish your deliveries on time. So they have to skip the lunch and breaks and basically work nonstop all day.

 

[bbeagle]

I wouldn't hold up Amazon as a great example. They have a terrible reputation with workers.

I’m not holding them up as a great example, just stating that there are many different options for people today that didn't exist 20 years ago, and I think this is the reason for the labor shortage.

You don't need to be a laborer or a fast food worker in your teens. It's easy to work for yourself now by delivering things, refereeing sports, making videos.

Additionally, I think many parents have discouraged their kids from working during Covid. They have given their kids money to keep them safe from getting sick or getting hurt by enforcing mask policies. And the kids don’t want to wear masks all day.

Similarly, many older people have retired, and don’t want to rejoin the work force during Covid,

i would love to work for Disney when I was a kid, but I would not when the mask policy was in force. It's not as happy. It feels restricting. I would just NOW be applying there, never before.

 

[gharter]

I have no doubt that is a big part of the problem. When WDW closed, many workers had to find another job. Many will not go back.
Around us, nearly every business is looking for workers and can't find them. The model has changed. Many that used to work are now staying home and saving day care costs and doing as well or better. Many baby boomers retired early. I read an article that claimed the worker shortage is not likely to change for many years. Our local experience would support that concept.

 

[Disney Bobby]

40 year high inflation. Record high gas prices. Rising interest rates. Proxy war with Russia. Supply chain issues. Threat of worldwide food shortages. Well deserved, growing distrust in the Federal Reserve. Possible resurgence of COVID in the future. A man (Johhny Depp) won an argument with a woman (Amber Heard).

The end is near folks. Enjoy luxuries like WDW while you can.

 

[Sargeant Tibbs]

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.

You do realize that McDonald's and Target are starting their employees at $15/hr? Why would anyone do physically demanding work in the Florida heat for $15/hr when they could go flip burgers or stock shelves in AC? That's just common sense.

To the main point of this thread, my parents worked at Disney for 10 years as their retirement jobs. After the way they were treated by Disney during the pandemic they refused to return to work. Now they've heard from friends who still work there that a new point system for missed days has been implemented. Previously, any consecutive sick days or call-outs were all counted as one point towards documentation. Now it's every single day a CM calls out. Which means not only is Disney forcing sick employees to return to work or risk documentation and their jobs, they are also now putting other employees and guests' health at risk. Who in their right mind would choose to work under such conditions if they could help it, especially now?

 

[xdan0920]

After the way they were treated by Disney during the pandemic they refused to return to work.

What do you mean?

 

[tileman]

You do realize that McDonald's and Target are starting their employees at $15/hr? Why would anyone do physically demanding work in the Florida heat for $15/hr when they could go flip burgers or stock shelves in AC? That's just common sense.

To the main point of this thread, my parents worked at Disney for 10 years as their retirement jobs. After the way they were treated by Disney during the pandemic they refused to return to work. Now they've heard from friends who still work there that a new point system for missed days has been implemented. Previously, any consecutive sick days or call-outs were all counted as one point towards documentation. Now it's every single day a CM calls out. Which means not only is Disney forcing sick employees to return to work or risk documentation and their jobs, they are also now putting other employees and guests' health at risk. Who in their right mind would choose to work under such conditions if they could help it, especially now?

Well if they want to flip hamburgers for 15.00 a hour go ahead once again then why answer the job add??
I myself believe I’m sorry but flipping a hamburger at McDonald’s is a starting off job for high school kids not meaning to raise a family on and buy a house
People need a skill or a trade to learn not saying the building a hamburger is not working it’s just at some point in the last 10 years it’s all people want to do work 20 hours a week just enough to stay on the government food stamps or government housing it’s a system set up for fault.

I’m sorry your mom and dad got treated badly by Disney but as I’ve seen on these boards before Disney is a business.

 

[Disney Bobby]

Well if they want to flip hamburgers for 15.00 a hour go ahead once again then why answer the job add??
I myself believe I’m sorry but flipping a hamburger at McDonald’s is a starting off job for high school kids not meaning to raise a family on and buy a house
People need a skill or a trade to learn not saying the building a hamburger is not working it’s just at some point in the last 10 years it’s all people want to do work 20 hours a week just enough to stay on the government food stamps or government housing it’s a system set up for fault.

I’m sorry your mom and dad got treated badly by Disney but as I’ve seen on these boards before Disney is a business.

Well, it's a business, but Disney has also been vocal about other issues that have little to do with business. When you start preaching to others, you open up the opportunity for someone to put you under the microscope.

But you are right. Lots of people are fine with working as little as possible to get by and letting taxpayers cover the rest. COVID handouts just expanded that mentality to many that never considered that. It will get worse, and it won't end well for everybody.

 

[MillauFr]

40 year high inflation. Record high gas prices. Rising interest rates. Proxy war with Russia. Supply chain issues. Threat of worldwide food shortages. Well deserved, growing distrust in the Federal Reserve. Possible resurgence of COVID in the future. A man (Johhny Depp) won an argument with a woman (Amber Heard).

The end is near folks. Enjoy luxuries like WDW while you can.

Um no. The economy is way too hot. A recession now would be a positive thing. Growth is exploding here.

 

[Disney Bobby]

Um no. The economy is way too hot. A recession now would be a positive thing. Growth is exploding here.

Um no, it isn't. The economy shrank 1.5% first quarter of 2022, long before the minuscule rate hike by the Feds. Don't confuse a hot economy with hot government spending. Once the sugar high from gov spending wears off and the real effects of high energy prices and inflation start to take hold, there will be NOTHING positive about what you will see.

 

[mom2rtk]

Um no. The economy is way too hot. A recession now would be a positive thing. Growth is exploding here.

No it wouldn’t. Lots and lots of people are going to suffer in a recession. Lots of people suffering already just from inflation.

 

[umichigan10]

Well if they want to flip hamburgers for 15.00 a hour go ahead once again then why answer the job add??
I myself believe I’m sorry but flipping a hamburger at McDonald’s is a starting off job for high school kids not meaning to raise a family on and buy a house
People need a skill or a trade to learn not saying the building a hamburger is not working it’s just at some point in the last 10 years it’s all people want to do work 20 hours a week just enough to stay on the government food stamps or government housing it’s a system set up for fault.

I’m sorry your mom and dad got treated badly by Disney but as I’ve seen on these boards before Disney is a business.

Then McDonald’s and the like shouldn’t be open during hours when there’s school. Since it’s a job just for high schoolers right?

Truth is, these jobs are needed to be staffed by adults in the workforce. And those people should be fairly compensated so they can survive off of and be able to pay their bills. Same goes for a place like Disney, who has a ton of employees who are having those same issues to make ends meet

 

[HopperFan]

Staffing issues is not news or new.

We could go into a long discussion of all the issues with working in the service industry and how they are struggling. Unfortunately Disney has high hiring standards for basic level service positions so it's always been an issue for them. They relied heavily on the College Program, the retired and part time/seasonal workers (students, those wanting 2nd jobs and those wanting gate passes at both Disney and UO). Disney started by reducing the part time, seasonal and retired workers. Once COVID hit and the DCP was closed Disney did the minimal for all the furloughed employees. I suppose for those not involved Disney did as much as they could considering the resorts were shut down, but it wasn't enough for folks to live so they looked elsewhere. There should be no hard feelings, just time to move on. You lose lots of employees during shut downs. We know several who did just that. Some left the area, some left found remote jobs and moved back (not to work but live) and some were happy to return.

Problem is with anything once you don't have it and open yourself to other things you look back at what you loved with clearer lenses. Folks see the pay not enough if Disney won't give you full work weeks and a full slate of GOOD benefits and work environment. Guests make CMs lives miserable, it's a reason my DD left. Why put up with their behaviors for minimal pay when you can get the same pay without the hassle elsewhere. Disney is having a tough time filling specific jobs like kitchen help. I mean with all the restaurants out there, there is competition. Most Disney shows / entertainment are non-equity and we are at the point that talent only wants equity jobs. Can't blame them. This is why we have half filled parades and Fantasmic is still not back. They can't fill all the jobs. We are past the days where theater kids are willing to dance in costumes in the heat down a parade route for years hoping for a big break. Know plenty of theater kids who once held the Disney dream but reality is when it gets down to it, not worth it to them anymore.

In terms of "Earning Ears" the College Program started back this month. It should grow much bigger in September. It will grow again with International program returning. With the new very nice DCP housing Disney really needs to push the program at colleges. They are going to have to rely heavily on DCP for future employees - and that is fine. Most of them are not looking for anything long term, not as concerned about pay and aren't impacted benefits.

This is nothing new for Disney, just amplified because COVID created a situation where they had to very much start over with the basics of help. Disney is going to have to do more to attract workers, expand the DCP and go back to hiring the retired and part timers .... ALL WITH A BIT MORE COMPASSION AND POSITIVE WORK ENVIRONMENT.

 

[Disney Bobby]

No it wouldn’t. Lots and lots of people are going to suffer in a recession. Lots of people suffering already just from inflation.

Yeah, anybody that thinks a recession is a positive for the average working American has either never experienced a real recession or is wealthy enough to not really be impacted. Almost criminal the actions and lack of action that led to this. And think about it. The same people are saying a recession might be a good thing are the same people that were telling you that inflation is transitory.

That being said, if you want fewer people in the parks, pulling for a recession is the way to go. Not sure prices will come down though. Some of the costs, like labor and inflation, are baked in now and unavoidable. I suspect customer experience and service will take the hit.

 

[mom2rtk]

Yeah, anybody that thinks a recession is a positive for the average working American has either never experienced a real recession or is wealthy enough to not really be impacted. Almost criminal the actions and lack of action that led to this. And think about it. The same people are saying a recession might be a good thing are the same people that were telling you that inflation is transitory.

That being said, if you want fewer people in the parks, pulling for a recession is the way to go. Not sure prices will come down though. Some of the costs, like labor, are baked in now and unavoidable. I suspect customer experience and service will take the hit.

Anybody hoping for a recession so they can enjoy their theme park experience more should be ashamed of themselves.

 

[Prince John Robin Hood]

This thread is needs to be renamed 'Fight Club'
To the OPs point though staffing definitely seems like a major issue at WDW. Hopefully they can hire enough people to reopen everything (shows, restaurants, character experiences, etc.) like pre-covid.

 

[Disney Bobby]

Staffing issues is not news or new.

We could go into a long discussion of all the issues with working in the service industry and how they are struggling. Unfortunately Disney has high hiring standards for basic level service positions so it's always been an issue for them. They relied heavily on the College Program, the retired and part time/seasonal workers (students, those wanting 2nd jobs and those wanting gate passes at both Disney and UO). Disney started by reducing the part time, seasonal and retired workers. Once COVID hit and the DCP was closed Disney did the minimal for all the furloughed employees. I suppose for those not involved Disney did as much as they could considering the resorts were shut down, but it wasn't enough for folks to live so they looked elsewhere. There should be no hard feelings, just time to move on. You lose lots of employees during shut downs. We know several who did just that. Some left the area, some left found remote jobs and moved back (not to work but live) and some were happy to return.

Problem is with anything once you don't have it and open yourself to other things you look back at what you loved with clearer lenses. Folks see the pay not enough if Disney won't give you full work weeks and a full slate of GOOD benefits and work environment. Guests make CMs lives miserable, it's a reason my DD left. Why put up with their behaviors for minimal pay when you can get the same pay without the hassle elsewhere. Disney is having a tough time filling specific jobs like kitchen help. I mean with all the restaurants out there, there is competition. Most Disney shows / entertainment are non-equity and we are at the point that talent only wants equity jobs. Can't blame them. This is why we have half filled parades and Fantasmic is still not back. They can't fill all the jobs. We are past the days where theater kids are willing to dance in costumes in the heat down a parade route for years hoping for a big break. Know plenty of theater kids who once held the Disney dream but reality is when it gets down to it, not worth it to them anymore.

In terms of "Earning Ears" the College Program started back this month. It should grow much bigger in September. It will grow again with International program returning. With the new very nice DCP housing Disney really needs to push the program at colleges. They are going to have to rely heavily on DCP for future employees - and that is fine. Most of them are not looking for anything long term, not as concerned about pay and aren't impacted benefits.

This is nothing new for Disney, just amplified because COVID created a situation where they had to very much start over with the basics of help. Disney is going to have to do more to attract workers, expand the DCP and go back to hiring the retired and part timers .... ALL WITH A BIT MORE COMPASSION AND POSITIVE WORK ENVIRONMENT.

I agree with most of that. But I think one this is missing.

When many CMs were laid off, they received both Florida state unemployment and the Federal $600 per week subsidy. Many were actually making more during that period that when they were working. And not just CMs, that applied to a lot of folks everywhere. The lady that cuts my hair said she made more money during covid and took a big cut when she returned to work. Then factor in the stimulus checks, that went out to FAR too many people, and it's no surprise that people aren't excited to go back to work making less than sitting home. People think handing out ice cream bars in Animal Kingdom is worth the inflated salary the government reimbursed it for during covid, and it's just not. And that mentality trickles up the job chain. Jobs that people were previously willing to do for $15 an hour are hard to fill because easier jobs can be had for the same amount.

It's unsustainable, and the correction will be painful.

 

[New Mouse]

You do realize that McDonald's and Target are starting their employees at $15/hr? Why would anyone do physically demanding work in the Florida heat for $15/hr when they could go flip burgers or stock shelves in AC? That's just common sense.

To the main point of this thread, my parents worked at Disney for 10 years as their retirement jobs. After the way they were treated by Disney during the pandemic they refused to return to work. Now they've heard from friends who still work there that a new point system for missed days has been implemented. Previously, any consecutive sick days or call-outs were all counted as one point towards documentation. Now it's every single day a CM calls out. Which means not only is Disney forcing sick employees to return to work or risk documentation and their jobs, they are also now putting other employees and guests' health at risk. Who in their right mind would choose to work under such conditions if they could help it, especially now?

Safety is the first key, not money!

 

[New Mouse]

I agree with most of that. But I think one this is missing.

When many CMs were laid off, they received both Florida state unemployment and the Federal $600 per week subsidy. Many were actually making more during that period that when they were working. And not just CMs, that applied to a lot of folks everywhere. The lady that cuts my hair said she made more money during covid and took a big cut when she returned to work. Then factor in the stimulus checks, that went out to FAR too many people, and it's no surprise that people aren't excited to go back to work making less than sitting home. People think handing out ice cream bars in Animal Kingdom is worth the inflated salary the government reimbursed it for during covid, and it's just not. And that mentality trickles up the job chain. Jobs that people were previously willing to do for $15 an hour are hard to fill because easier jobs can be had for the same amount.

It's unsustainable, and the correction will be painful.

Selling $5 ice cream is certainly worthy of $15 an hour. Selling $2 ice cream is not. THIS is what folks finally realized. The people actually doing the work were not sharing in the absurd profits. Disney got greedy and now they can't go back.