This week, the Walt Disney Company started its third round of layoffs across its three primary sectors. As of now, more than 2,500 jobs are on the chopping block, following Bob Iger’s promise last year to have the company’s layoffs completed in three rounds before this summer.
While some sources are saying that the layoffs are not aimed at any specific verticals, the Parks and Resorts sector has remained relatively untouched while the Entertainment and Experiences & Products sectors are in the searchlight for layoffs. Many park cast members are expected to hold onto their jobs, but employees like production assistants and executives, as former Marvel executive Ike Perlmutter can attest, are in danger of losing theirs.
Former Disney CEO Bob Chapek announced these layoffs as a method to overcome economic challenges and save costs. Iger states in a memo the difficulties that the company executives face as they fire those below them, calling it a challenging time for the Disney family, calling it home to passionate, hard-working employees. “That’s part of what makes working at Disney so special,” Iger laments. “It also makes it all the more difficult to say goodbye to wonderful people we care about. I want to offer my sincere thanks and appreciation to every departing employee for your numerous contributions and your devotion to this beloved company.”
In his concluding statement, Iger acknowledges the challenges ahead for the rest of the company and promises that they will work together to move forward.
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