Disney begins second wave of layoffs: 4,000 people to lose their jobs this week
The entertainment giant began the largest series of layoffs in its history this Monday.
Disney has laid off thousands of people in the second phase of its cutback plan. The entertainment giant began the largest cuts in its history on Monday. By Thursday, the company is expected to have laid off nearly 60% of the expected total, explains Deadline. In other words, the company will have dismissed 4,000 of the 7,000 workers who are planned to be laid off as a result of the Walt Disney Corporation's savings plan.
According to Disney Entertainment Co-Presidents Alan Bergman and Dana Walden, people who lose their jobs will be notified between Monday and Thursday. In addition, in a memo sent to staff, both assured that there will be a final round to complete the 7,000 layoffs before the start of the summer:
All areas of Disney affected by layoffs
In the press release, both stated that "these are hard decisions" that "have been made with considerable thought." They also assured that each layoff process is being conducted with the utmost "respect and compassion" and that they will offer support and assistance to those affected to the greatest extent possible.
This workforce cuts are part of the savings plan that Bob Iger presented a few months ago with the goal of reducing costs by $5.5 billion. The layoffs will affect all parts of the entertainment giant, including Disney Entertainment, ESPN, as well as Disney Parks, Experiences and Products. All of them will see, either this week or over the next few months, their teams downsized and significantly reduced in order to streamline the business and, in doing so, try to save the Mickey Mouse company.