Some employees at the Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Florida, are feeling pressured to continue working despite severe weather conditions ahead of Hurricane Milton's landfall, Business Insider reports.
Category 3 Hurricane Milton hit Florida on Wednesday, killing at least 16 residents and causing damage in the Tampa Bay area. Hurricane Helene arrived just days ago, prompting multiple states to declare states of emergency.
Four employees, known only as “cast members” at the parks, told Business Insider on condition of anonymity that they remained at four parks Wednesday as Disney closed them due to the incoming storm. They reportedly described feeling as though they should continue to work and help close the park.
An employee told the publication that the park was largely empty before the storm, with most visitors choosing to stay indoors.
“I wish the park wasn't open at all that day,” another employee said.
Disney employees can reportedly earn extra pay by doing “out” shifts, during which they accompany stranded guests to shelters during storms. The shifts are reportedly voluntary and often include a private room for employees to sleep. Actors told the outlet they didn't get these accommodations when they worked before Milton.
Some people who worked full shifts on Wednesday said they did so out of fear of leaving get off work early and losing pay, according to reports. Others told the publication they stayed despite hoping to have time to buy gas and groceries before the storm hit.
Thousands of employees have volunteered for “ride-through” shifts and other recovery efforts, a Disney spokesperson said, adding that any employees whose shifts are affected by park closures will receive interruption pay.
According to reports, employees said Disneyland’s points-based penalty system for absences leaves little room for extreme situations. Those who accumulated a large number of points allegedly risked being fired.
“Your house could be underwater and they'd be like, 'OK, shout out, take my point,'” one employee reportedly explained.
A Disney spokesperson said the company always puts the safety of its employees first.
“Safety is always our first and most important factor when making decisions affecting cast members and guests,” the spokesperson said. “Throughout the storm, we were frequently updating our changes to ensure they were safe during the worst of the storm. Hours before the weather reaches Central Florida, it returns home.”
Nearby attractions Universal Orlando and SeaWorld were also closed due to the storm.
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