Family help: DISNEY is working my husband to death. - Help.com

my friend works for disney in the parades. she had told me horror stories…

*has

I also know someone who worked at Disney, and heard the same things you’re telling me. I believe Disney is working within the law, but you can contact the U.S. and state Department of Labor to be sure you know your rights. There are, obviously, reasons Disney has a high turn-over rate, and, as far as I know, leaving the company is the most common solution.

I’d be looking for a better job, or seeking newer education ~smiles~.

I also think Oster is right on…

http://www.dol.gov/

http://www.usa.gov/Agencies/Federal/E…

Unfortunately disney has quite the track record when it comes to abuse of workers rights to the point of mr walt disney himself having workers at his studios beaten up by the police. Im hardly suprised their ruthless exploitation of hard working people still continues today.

Try the unions, I know they arent terribly strong in america but they’re a good start. Also if he has a good reason for not being their for these mandatory overtime hours, and has given notice of not coming, and they still fire him, with a good lawyer you might have a good unfair dismissal case, which im sure disney would happily settled outside of court, they’re not one for public embarrassment.

Also like others have said, be very certain of your rights, employers will exploit a lack of knowledge, making employees believe they have to do something to keep their job, when really, the employer is over stepping the terms of the contract between boss and worker.

Im glad to see you’re fighting this and I support you 100% against this unfair treatment of workers.

flat out there are NO MANDATORY OVERTIME HOURS!!! You are not required to work more than 40 hours a week.

also do they pay him time and a half for working overtime?

It is appalling, I am shocked and disgusted. Maybe if more people knew about the conditions and way workers are treated; a boycott of the facilities can be set into motion. Nothing hurts corporations (and make them implement change) more than when their profit is affected. Ideally, finding someone that is willing to make a documentary or a news channel to run a story about it could speed the process. Though nowadays just creating and uploading the story (you can always disguise employees voices and just show silhouettes)on Youtube can have the same affect, bc once it propagates the mayor news channels usually showcases them.

Thanks for the replies. Hubby HAS looked for better jobs. He has extensive background of skills, steady work history, and a college degree. Unfortunately, even an entry-level job with barely above-minimum wage plus medical benefits are to find. Medical benefits are biggest worry. One major illness or accident can result in bankruptsy or homelessness. We can’t move because elder parents need our care. We also have a special needs child who can’t disrupt services. We can’t complain to any Federal agency because WDW does retaliate. Ask anyone who has worked there. Disney is the biggest employer in Florida. No politicians would investigate Disney employment practices. Only negative publicity can influence managers at Disney. After all, they don’t want to lose their jobs either. Many people have computer skills. Perhaps someone can make an E-Ad Campaign on You Tube to help a sad Mouse Worker who couldn’t have even one day to be with his only son before he left for Iraq. Many other Disney employees would appreciate the too. Please forward this Help.com message to the Internet Universe. Workforces everywhere may respond by letting WDW know that their family values the families working for Disney. Thanks.

Hi Jessica,

Yes, Mandatory Overtime is legal here in Florida. Can’t believe that someone can be forced to work every day of the month in this heat with no days off with NO EXCEPTIONS. Time and half isn’t worth it. Time and half isn’t worth the physical toll, much less cherished moments needed before a son leaves for many, many months.

Hmmm found this forum (http://www.city-data.com/forum/orlando/62934-if-disney-so-bad-work-then-7.h tml) talking about the conditions of Disney when I googled.

I think it is just unconscionable for companies to do this. Labor laws were put in place to keep this exact kind of thing from happening, yet companies are still able to do pretty much whatever they want. “Mandatory Overtime” is one of the ugliest phrases in the English language. My dad retired from a major cookie factory that had started doing the same thing in the last few years. Despite the fact that he had to retire a few years early because he is now disabled (yeah, working in those conditions for 30 years usually ends in some kind of disability), he is actually one of the lucky ones because he doesn’t have to work 7 days a week anymore. I wish you all the best in this struggle, and I am sending lots of positive energy your way. I hope that we, as a nation, can get this kind of thing changed for everyone’s sake.

Thanks for the positive words AND energy! That’s exactly what I’m afraid of…shortened life from working so hard Or that he will be so tired after work that he will have an accident traveling home. It’s very hard work for someone half his age. You are correct. Labor Laws were enacted to protect workers from early death and unnecessary disabilities. As a nation, we need better laws, especially in “service states” like Florida where big companies have far more influence with legislators than voters. Some say better unions are needed. In Florida, they have little influence. However, there would be no need for Unions if employers treated employees the way they would want their family members treated. Affordable health care could solve many problems. Employees could work for anyone they want, anywhere they want. Companies would do more to keep good employees. Often employees stay with a company simply to make sure their families can get proper health care. This country is FAR behind other industrialized countries when it comes to health care. That includes mental health. The fact that any company in this country can demand that an employee not have one day off in 60 days and counting or take any vacation time shows how much disregard there is for employees as humans. Europeans take 4 weeks of vacation. Here most Americans are lucky to take one week. The result: More accidents. More stress. More health care needs. Rising crime. More addictions. Wrong emphasis… Vacations and days off are Preventative Care to help the spirit. It’s more cost-effective than spending millions to repair families. Our leaders need to have a mission statement that makes families FIRST. That means having quality time to be with family. That’s what I value. Surely Europeans aren’t the only ones who value family time. If other Americans feel the same way, please let the politicians know. It’s time to value families enough to give them the time needed to be a family. Corporations WILL holler but even if only ONE American company changes its focus to revalue its employees, it will improve the lives of many and that may be the step needed for CHANGE to start.

Well put Anon. NYWadjet also has a good point or suggestion. I have just seen” SiCKO!” and while not everyone agrees with Michael Moore his films have certainly made an impact on me and the friends I them with. It brought a lot of things to light or attention. This kind of thing could also apply or relate to other issues in our country (not just health care - which is quite important.)…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEFoq_…

http://www.michaelmoore.com/
You may be able to find some helpful links or resources on his website.

Unfair treatment of workers isn’t right!
Sorry I don’t know the laws in the US
and I agree with oster and occult.