The Walt Disney Company is cutting around 300 jobs in its latest workforce reduction, with human resources and technology teams among the functions affected, according to reports.
The latest cuts represent the second major round of job reductions since Josh D’Amaro became Disney’s CEO earlier this year and come as the entertainment company continues to reorganise its operations.
Second Major Round of Cuts
Disney previously announced workforce reductions in July affecting several parts of its business, including Pixar, National Geographic, ESPN, Disney Entertainment Television and Disney Studios.
The latest changes form part of a broader restructuring associated with D’Amaro’s “One Disney” strategy, which seeks to strengthen coordination across the company’s businesses.
The strategy involves closer integration of Disney’s intellectual property across areas including films, streaming, theme parks, consumer products, gaming and sports.
Disney Focuses on Cost Management
Disney had already indicated during its August earnings update that it was examining measures to reduce costs.
The company’s actions have included workforce reductions, efforts to lower operating expenses and early-retirement programmes for some long-serving executives.
Earlier in the year, Disney also consolidated its enterprise marketing operations, a move that was expected to eliminate up to 1,000 positions.
The latest reductions come as traditional media companies continue to adjust their operating models amid changes in consumer viewing habits and the growth of streaming and digital entertainment.
HR and Technology Teams Affected
The latest round is expected to have a direct impact on employees working in HR and technology, two functions that support operations across Disney’s businesses.
For HR teams, workforce reductions create additional responsibilities around employee communication, transition support and organisational restructuring. Technology teams, meanwhile, are operating in an industry undergoing rapid changes in digital platforms and content distribution.
Repeated restructuring can also create uncertainty for employees across the wider organisation as teams adjust to changing responsibilities and reporting structures.
Part of a Broader Business Reorganisation
Disney’s latest workforce reduction reflects the company’s continuing effort to align its resources with its changing business priorities.
As Disney brings different parts of its business closer together, the company is simultaneously seeking to manage costs and direct investment toward areas it considers important to its future growth.
The latest job cuts therefore form part of a wider organisational transformation rather than an isolated workforce decision.
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