The past month has been a tumultuous one for Disney with scandal after scandal popping up and surrounding the company seemingly every few days.
Now, according to Netolabo, the Tokyo Disney Resort operator has now been ordered to pay damages to an unnamed woman who filed her lawsuit back in 2018 due to violations of safety and accusation of harassment. The woman worked at the Resort as a character performer for over a decade. The Oriental Land Company, where she worked as a character performer for thirteen years.
Reportedly, supervisors at the Park spread rumors about her and other Cast Members working there, saying things like “Women over 30 shouldn’t work here, why don’t you quit already” to the woman. In a statement to the press, she said “I have endured this for many years, but nothing will change if I just put up with it. My dream is to have a workplace where I can continue to work with peace of mind, where there is no power harassment.”
Also included in the lawsuit was an incident involving the woman’s finger. According to the suit, the woman’s finger was injured after a Guest twisted in, The woman said her claims for worker’s compensation were quickly dismissed, claiming she was told “You’re an entertainer, you have to put up with that sort of thing. You’re so weak,” the boss reportedly said.
The suit was filed by the woman with damages reported to be ¥3.3 million or around $30,000. The woman claimed that the Oriental Land Company, the organization that runs and operates the Tokyo Disney Resort, failed to educate its employees on the prevention of harassment and also failed to take measures to relieve victim’s suffering. Now, a ruling was reached with the judge ordering Oriental Land to pay ¥880,000 or $7100 to the woman in damages.
In the midst of this legal drama, the Oriental Land Company released a statement saying “It is truly regrettable that some of our claims were not recognized in this judgment, and we will consider our future response after carefully examining the details of the judgment. In addition, no statements were found to fall under the category of ‘power harassment’ as claimed by the plaintiff. We apologize for the concern we have caused to our Guests and all those who support us on a daily basis.”
In recent weeks, Disney has been struggling when it comes to its image with both Guests and Cast Members. Many are upset with the company and its handling of Florida’s Parental Rights in Education Bill. Many felt that Disney’s condemnation of the legislation came too late and didn’t say anything of substance. Cast Members were so disappointed in Disney that they planned a number of walkouts in protest. Disney, and CEO Bob Chapek, have tried to make things right in the eyes of those Cast Members, but nothing seems to be working.
However, there is another group of Cast Members who have different feelings on the matter. Those Cast Members believe that Disney should not say anything more on the bill. More than that, they feel that Disney should remain politically neutral. They have remained relatively quiet about their feelings for fear of reprisals and being considered “villains” to those who do not support the bill.
Those Cast Members have created a public petition, asking Disney to stay neutral when it comes to political matters. They noted that, several months ago, Disney sent a survey to Cast Members, asking if they felt accepted. The petition states that a number of more conservative Cast Members did not feel comfortable answering the questions. They believe that Disney leans more progressive and, if they answered the questions, they would be targeted and potentially lose their jobs.
The petition asks that Disney should not “be a vehicle for one demographic’s activism.” They feel that the current environment within the company is one of fear for those that do not lean along more progressive lines.
Bob Chapek has not commented on the current petition. He has, however, been repeatedly letting LGBTQ+ Cast Members know that he stands with them as an ally and will ensure that the company fights harder to protect them. He also announced that Disney has paused all political donations in Florida. Unfortunately for Chapek, Cast Members and Guests do not seem to be the only ones upset with him. The Florida Democratic Party has announced that a gala they had planned to hold at the Walt Disney World Resort has been canceled and will be held elsewhere.
As employees of the Walt Disney Company, we believe in the dignity of all people. This is why we do what we do. We write stories. We make costumes. We act in parades. We run cruises. We stream movies. We make magic. We do this because our work contributes to a fountain of wonder that inspires joy, awe, and delight in guests and audiences of all ages. We are proud employees of the Walt Disney Company. We love our jobs because we get to share the wonder of life and human experience with millions of people worldwide.
However, over the last few years, one group of cast members has become invisible within the company. The Walt Disney Company has come to be an increasingly uncomfortable place to work for those of us whose political and religious views are not explicitly progressive. We watch quietly as our beliefs come under attack from our own employer, and we frequently see those who share our opinions condemned as villains by our own leadership.
The company’s evolving response to the so-called “Don’t Say Gay” legislation in Florida has left many of us wondering what place we have in a company actively promoting a political agenda so far removed from our own. TWDC leadership frequently communicates its commitment to creating an inclusive workplace where cast members feel comfortable sharing their perspectives and being their authentic selves at work. That is not our workplace experience.
Over the last few weeks, we have watched as our leadership has expressed their condemnation for laws and policies we support. We have watched as our colleagues, convinced that no one in the company could possibly disagree with them, grow increasingly aggressive in their demands. They insist that TWDC take a strong stance on not only this issue but other legislation and openly advocate for the punishment of employees who disagree with them.
An internal poll within the company went out a few months ago asking us if we felt accepted in the company. Many of us didn’t complete it because the nature of the questions made us worry that the results of the poll could be used to target us for quietly holding a position that runs against the progressive orthodoxy that Disney seems to promote. TWDC has fostered an environment of fear that any employee who does not toe the line will be exposed and dismissed.
Much has been made of our internal efforts to Reimagine Tomorrow, but as much as diversity and inclusion are promoted, the tomorrow being reimagined doesn’t seem to have much room for religious or political conservatives within the company. Left-leaning cast members are free to promote their agenda and organize on company time using company resources. They call their fellow employees “bigots” and pressure TWDC to use corporate influence to further their left-wing legislative goals.
Meanwhile, those of us who don’t align with this vision keep our heads down and do our work without bringing our personal beliefs into the workplace. We’ve done this without complaint because we don’t want to rock the boat, but the boat is being rocked, and our leadership seems compelled to reward those who are rocking it.
Employees who want TWDC to make left-wing political statements are encouraged, while those of us who want the company to remain neutral can say so only in a whisper out of fear of professional retaliation. The company we love seems to think we don’t exist or don’t belong here. This politicization of our corporate culture is damaging morale and causing many of us to feel our days with TWDC might be numbered.
Furthermore, as this politicization makes its way into our content and public messaging, our more conservative customers will feel similarly unwanted. You can only preach at or vilify your audience for so long before they decide to spend their money elsewhere.
Working for The Walt Disney Company is a dream come true. We love being part of creating the magic that so many people around the world enjoy. Our storytelling is second to none. It resonates with people from all walks of life across the political spectrum. Our parks are the source of joy and inspiration that Walt hoped they would become. Every year, millions of guests escape an increasingly divided world to a place where they can relive fond memories of the past and savor the challenge and promise of the future. They do this alongside thousands of other guests that might not have anything in common with them other than a shared love of Disney.
The unique brand of family entertainment that Disney is known for is an objective good in this dark world. It brings people together and provides cultural touchpoints that even the worst enemies can unite over. At the height of COVID lockdowns in the Summer of 2020 when the country was fiercely divided over a range of issues, Hamilton provided us something to collectively celebrate. At the end of an incredibly contentious election year, The Mandalorian was there to soothe a weary nation with non-political entertainment we could all enjoy no matter who you voted for. When Disney takes sides in political debates, they deprive the world of a shared love we all have in common. TWDC is uniquely situated to provide experiences and entertainment that can bridge our national divide and bring us all together.
CEO, Bob Chapek had the right idea in his original statement that he has since walked back. In Chapek’s own words, “As we have seen time and again, corporate statements do very little to change outcomes or minds. … Instead, they are often weaponized by one side or the other to further divide and inflame.” Disney is far more important and impactful to the world by avoiding politics than it will ever be by embracing a political agenda. By focusing on entertainment that inspires us with stories of universal appeal, we are doing good in the world.
Disney shouldn’t be a vehicle for one demographic’s political activism. It’s so much bigger and more important than that. More than ever, the world needs things that we can unite around. That’s the most valuable role The Walt Disney Company could play in the world at this time. It’s a role we’ve played for nearly a century, and it would be a shame to throw all of that away in the face of left-wing political pressure. Please don’t let Disney become just another thing we divide over.
As the Walt Disney Company and Parks find themselves surrounded by seemingly endless controversy, CEO Bob Chapek maintains the helm of the ship, either successfully making it through the treacherous waves of backlash or going down with the ship.
If you have visited the Disney Parks and Resorts in the last few years or been a part of the Disney community in general you will surely know the name, Bob Chapek. Chapek serves as the company’s current CEO, taking over Bob Iger’s multi-decade tenure in early 2020, perhaps the worst time to take over one o the largest corporations in the world.
The exchange of power between Iger and Chapek was swift and came as a bit of a surprise, especially since Bob Chapek ended his position with the company earlier than expected. Now, as reported by CNBC, the relationship between Chapek and Iger is strained after the two had a falling out.
Of course, some of this can be attributed to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the difficulties it caused. Normal times would have most likely allowed Iger and Chapek to work more closely. Iger and Chapek seemed to be ready for the difficult challenge of dealing with a global pandemic together. Back in 2020 during the Walt Disney Company’s Annual Shareholder meeting, Iger said “I can’t think of a better person to succeed me in this role”. Chapek returned the same optimistic view of the future.
One month after these positive comments, then-New York Times columnist Ben Smith published a story after reaching Iger by email where Iger told Smith he would stick around to help run the company, saying “A crisis of this magnitude, and its impact on Disney would necessarily result in my actively helping Bob [Chapek] and the company contend with it, particularly since I ran the company for 15 years!”
Allegedly Chapek was furious when he saw the story and comments. He had not expressed a need or desire for extra help and had not asked for any. At this point, Iger had postponed his retirement as Disney CEO three times already and Chapek felt he was essentially doing it again.
Although a joint effort in running a company during a pandemic would certainly help, “the two executives barely spoke to each other” after this. Apparently, Chapek has a small circle of close confidants with whom he makes and discusses major decisions including longtime right-hand man Kareem Daniel, chief of staff Arthur Bochner, and, to some degree, Chief Financial Officer Christine McCarthy, whom Iger promoted to the role in 2015, according to people familiar with the situation.
Former CEO Bob Iger was not so lucky as to be included in this circle. Back in December, Iger threw a little “going away” type of party, inviting over 50 people to his Brentwood home in suburban Los Angeles. Iger spoke about and discussed his time at the company among other matters. Also in attendance was Chapek, but according to sources, there was little interaction between the two men during the event.
Guests, including veteran Disney executives and television talents such as broadcasters Robin Roberts, David Muir, and Al Michaels were in attendance with Iger and Chapek reportedly sitting at opposite tables. Chapek sat near several of his direct reports, including Daniel. Iger sat next to film director and mogul Steven Spielberg. While Iger spent about 10 minutes publicly praising former colleagues, he barely mentioned Chapek, said the people.
“It was extremely awkward,” said one of the guests, asking to remain anonymous. “The tension was palpable.” According to CNBC, both Iger and Chapek declined to comment on their relationship with each other.
Bob Iger had an accomplished time at the company and any replacement was surely going to have a difficult time replacing him. Iger was beloved by Hollywood and highly respected as a CEO, both by higher-ups and the Disney community in general. Leading the company during the acquisition of Pixar, Marvel and Lucasfilm also helped solidify Iger as the leader Disney needed at the time.
Chapek, meanwhile, has a harder exterior and at times, according to colleagues, struggles with emotional intelligence — which happens to be Iger’s strength.
Companies like Disney are known for a ton of great family-friendly content, and the 90s were a great time for that content. During that time, Disney gave us animated classics like Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, Aladdin, and Mulan. They also came out with a number of incredible live-actions films, including The Mighty Ducks trilogy, Heavyweights, and Homeward Bound. Other studios came out with some classics like The Sandlot, Little Giants, Hook, and the classic Mrs. Doubtfire.
Mrs. Doubtfire told the story of a married couple going through a divorce. In order to see his children, the father — Daniel Hillard — dresses up as a woman, so he can care for them. The film starred the late Robin Williams as Mrs. Doubtfire and Sally Field as Miranda Hillard, and Pierce Brosnan as Stu. The couple had three children, who were portrayed by Lisa Jakub, Mara Wilson, and Matthew Lawrence.
Matthew Lawrence started his career young and appeared in a number of Disney films and television shows alongside his brothers Joey and Andrew. Matthew was in the Disney movies Horse Sense and Jumping Ship. He was also a major part of the popular Disney Channel show Boy Meets World. Lawrence, along with his older brother Joey, were loved by 90s girls around the world.
Although the movies and shows he was in had their fair share of happy endings, we all know that real life is not as cut and dry. Lawrence recently spoke about an important life lesson that was bestowed on him by none other than Robin Williams on the Mrs. Doubtfire set. Lawrence played Williams’s son Chris Hillard. Williams died in 2014 due to suicide caused by his struggle with Lewy Body Dementia.
Lawrence revealed that Williams had told him that, under no circumstances, should the young actor ever engage in drug use. Per People:
During his appearance at the first-ever ’90s Con on Saturday, Lawrence opened up about the lessons he took away during their experience shooting the 1993 film.
“He was the first adult who really let me in on his condition. Like, full-on let me in,” the 42-year-old said. “I mean, as bright as he was on camera — I would go visit him in his trailer to talk to him — it was painful for him. It’s really painful for him. He didn’t hide it. He talked to me about it.”
“‘Don’t ever do drugs. Especially cocaine,’” Lawrence recalled Williams saying. “He was very serious. He was like, ‘You know when you come to my trailer and you see me like that?’ He’s like, ‘That’s the reason why. And now I’m fighting for the rest of my life because I spent 10 years doing something very stupid every day. Do not do it.’ I stayed away from it because of him.”
Lawrence has been incredibly active in Hollywood for decades — having appeared in four films just last year. He also has another film in production. Lawrence’s brothers Andrew and Joey also remain active and have appeared in a number of films and television shows.
For weeks, the Walt Disney Company has been battling extreme discontent and anger within its ranks. Thousands of Cast Members felt like Disney did not have their backs when it remained silent on the passing of Florida’s Parental Rights in Education Bill. The bill would prohibit educators from talking about things like gender identity and sexual orientation in kindergarten through third-grade classrooms. Critics have dubbed the bill the “Don’t Say Gay” bill and worry that it would target the LGBTQ+ community.
After mounting pressure, Disney made a statement on the bill, but it didn’t hit the mark. Many felt that it didn’t say anything. After that, Disney CEO Bob Chapek sent an email to staff saying that he stood with LGBTQ+ Cast Members. However, he did not condemn the bill, and the email only further upset already let-down Cast Members. Then, Chapek made a firmer statement and denounced the bill at the Annual Shareholders Meeting. He also said that he would be meeting with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
DeSantis said that a meeting with Chapek had not been scheduled. A spokesperson for the Governor said that his position on the bill had not changed. DeSantis then accused Disney of being “woke” and called the company put for its business dealings with China.
It now seems like Bob Chapek has had enough of the Governor and the controversial bill. On March 11, Chapek announced that Disney would be pausing all political donations to Florida politicians.
And in a move rarely seen in corporate America, Chapek emailed all staff, apologizing for his prior actions. The email, which was shared with The Hollywood Reporter, said:
To my fellow colleagues, but especially our LGBTQ+ community,
Thank you to all who have reached out to me sharing your pain, frustration and sadness over the company’s response to the Florida “Don’t Say Gay” bill. Speaking to you, reading your messages, and meeting with you have helped me better understand how painful our silence was. It is clear that this is not just an issue about a bill in Florida, but instead yet another challenge to basic human rights. You needed me to be a stronger ally in the fight for equal rights and I let you down. I am sorry.
Our employees see the power of this great company as an opportunity to do good. I agree. Yes, we need to use our influence to promote that good by telling inclusive stories, but also by standing up for the rights of all.
Starting immediately, we are increasing our support for advocacy groups to combat similar legislation in other states. We are hard at work creating a new framework for our political giving that will ensure our advocacy better reflects our values. And today, we are pausing all political donations in the state of Florida pending this review. But, I know there is so much more work to be done. I am committed to this work and to you all, and will continue to engage with the LGBTQ+ community so that I can become a better ally. You will hear more about our progress in the coming weeks.
I truly believe we are an infinitely better and stronger company because of our LGBTQ+ community. I missed the mark in this case but am an ally you can count on—and I will be an outspoken champion for the protections, visibility, and opportunity you deserve.
Bob
Prior to this memo, the Disney CEO had repeatedly said that the best thing Disney could do was continue to create inclusive content. However, now the company will be taking a more active role in protecting the rights of its Cast Members. Chapek admitted that he “missed the mark” but wants his staff to know that he is an ally to them and will be working hard to prove that.
During the Shareholders Meeting, Chapek said that the company would be donating $5 million to the Human Rights Campaign. The HRC rejected that offer and said that Disney needed to do more to fight for some of its most vulnerable Cast Members. It looks like Chapek took that message to heart and is now making a more concerted effort to fight for those who make Disney the admired company that it is.
