The Walt Disney Company has laid off several hundred employees in its third round of job cuts this year, according to multiple outlets. The layoffs primarily affect human resources and technology/IT departments across corporate and various divisions.
CNBC reported the cuts total around 300 employees, while Deadline described the number as a couple hundred workers. Deadline noted this round is smaller than the two previous rounds of layoffs earlier this year.
The layoffs are occurring under recently appointed CEO Josh D'Amaro. CNBC reported that Disney had signaled this round of cuts in its August earnings report, describing staff reductions as one lever the company was evaluating to reduce costs.
Variety reported the cuts span multiple departments, citing a source familiar with the matter, with HR and IT particularly affected.
How each side covered it
Left
- The Hollywood Reporter and Variety reported human resources and tech departments were hit particularly hard.
- Variety cited a source familiar with the matter describing cuts across multiple departments.
- Both outlets identified this as the third round of layoffs this year under CEO Josh D'Amaro.
“Human resources and tech were hit particularly hard by the layoffs.” — The Hollywood Reporter
Center
- CNBC cited a specific figure of around 300 employees affected.
- CNBC linked the cuts to cost-reduction plans disclosed in Disney's August earnings report.
- Deadline reported the layoffs are smaller in scale than the two previous rounds this year.
- Deadline noted the cuts largely affect tech and HR shared functions.
“Disney laying off around 300 employees in latest cuts under new CEO Josh D'Amaro” — CNBC
Right
- The New York Post and Washington Times reported hundreds of jobs being cut under the new CEO.
- Breitbart used derogatory language referring to Disney and framed the layoffs within broader criticism of the company.
- Outlets on this side confirmed the third round of layoffs this year.
“Massive layoffs rock Disney as new CEO slashes hundreds of jobs” — New York Post
Questions readers ask
How many people is Disney laying off?
Reports describe the number as a few hundred employees, with CNBC citing a figure of around 300 and Deadline describing it as a couple hundred workers.
Why is Disney cutting jobs?
According to CNBC, Disney had flagged this round of cuts in its August earnings report as one option it was evaluating to reduce costs at the company.
Which departments are affected?
The layoffs are primarily hitting human resources and technology/IT departments across Disney's corporate offices and various divisions, according to multiple outlets.
Is this Disney's first round of layoffs this year?
No. Multiple outlets report this is the third round of layoffs at Disney this year, under recently appointed CEO Josh D'Amaro.
What did left-, center-, and right-leaning outlets focus on?
Left-leaning and center outlets focused on the scale, departments affected, and CEO Josh D'Amaro's cost-cutting efforts; right-leaning outlets similarly reported the cuts, though one outlet, Breitbart, used disparaging language toward Disney.
Sources · 8 outlet reports
- The Hollywood ReporterLeft-leaningDisney Cuts Hundreds More Jobs in New Round of Layoffs as Corporate Streamlining Casualties Mount
- VarietyLeft-leaningDisney Makes More Job Cuts, Laying Off a Few Hundred Employees
- CNBCCenterDisney laying off around 300 employees in latest cuts under new CEO Josh D'Amaro
- DeadlineCenterDisney Hit By Layoffs In Multiple Areas, Hundreds Impacted
- ReutersCenterDisney laying off a few hundred employees, source says
- BreitbartRight-leaningNolte: Disney Grooming Syndicate Cuts Hundreds of Jobs In Third Layoff of the Year
- New York PostRight-leaningMassive layoffs rock Disney as new CEO slashes hundreds of jobs
- The Washington TimesRight-leaningDisney lays off a few hundred more employees