Disney increases the layoff number of workers to 36,000

The Walt Disney Co announced plans in US Securities and Exchange Commission filing to lay off 4,000 more workers in its theme parks division in California and Florida due to the COVID-19 pandemic’s effect on the industry.

An announcement was made by the company earlier this week, saying 32,000 employees will be terminated in the first half of the fiscal year 2021. In late September, the company had already announced plans to terminate 28,000 theme park workers. It also put 37,000 employees not scheduled for termination on furlough as a result of the pandemic, the company said in the SEC document filed on the evening of Thanksgiving Day.

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The company has not specified the number of workers that would be affected in its Orlando theme parks.

The company also said they may make more cuts in spending such as reducing film and television content investments and additional furloughs and layoffs.

In Florida, the company has been limiting attendance at its parks and changing protocols to allow for social distancing by limiting characters’ meet and greets.

Due to the current climate, including COVID-19 impacts, and the changing environment in which we are operating, the company has generated efficiencies in its staffing, including limiting hiring to critical business roles, furloughs, and reductions-in-force, the document said.

Disneys parks were closed in March as the pandemic started spreading. The Florida parks reopened in the summer, but the California parks are yet to reopen post the state and local government approvals.