Yes, I have dedicated my life to SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment.
Yes, I considered the company my family. Yes, I was a friend of D.B. I miss her everyday.
Yes, I have seen many good friends and hard workers let go since 2010.
Yes, I have seen the ruthless uncaring money-hungry leaders move in and take over.
Yes, they have taken over the place.
Yes, even those who are still working are miserable.
Yes, SeaWorld and its family and culture do not mean a thing to those now in charge.
Yes, the ones who love the company the most are the ones the leaders hate. They tell us to move-on.
Yes, this company is going to fail and there will not be a SeaWorld or Busch Gardens anymore.
Yes, I will not return to our parks as a guest, my neighbors will not return to the parks, and my friends will not return to the parks. They are run down and filthy and the employees have no incentive to give good service.
Yes, locals are a huge demographic for our returning guests. Locals are not returning when they hear how employees are being treated. Smart move SN and SR!
Yes, no raises this year. The leaders got their huge bonuses.
Yes, the company that everyone once wanted to work at is now being run by those who only desire a big bank account.
Yes, they are using the system to keep those furloughed on furlough without medical benefits. How could they do the during a Pandemic? Because they don't care about those who actually worked out in the parks making money for them.
Yes, they only care about their stock value AND NOT THE ACTUAL PARKS OR THE EMPLOYEES.
Yes, even SR was going to jump ship once his stock hit a certain figure leaving the Parks filled with cheap coasters, no animals, rundown buildings, and employees who do not have the love for the company that we once did.
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I believe it is worth mentioning that the company also cut vacation hours at the beginning of the year. I was an employee for over a decade and a half. The company took two weeks away from me and mentioned more would be rescinded at the start of 2021. That was before the furlough, so I assume they are up to more nefarious undertakings at this point. They have been so willing to abuse employee trust and loyalty to pad the shareholders bank accounts. The company spends so much time talking up the preservation and welfare of animals while ignoring the plight of the human beings in its employment.
The hypocrisy of this centers around the attempt for the company culture to be one of servitude from the top downwards. This was presented a few years back and then almost immediately discarded. The employee morale has been in the gutter for the last decade. In that time: the CEO position has been a revolving door, raises have been non-existent or laughable, the SEC filed against the company for nondisclosure, they furloughed 90% of the workers at the beginning at quarantine while the executives received $6.8 mil in stock options, and the company has had at least 4 layoffs since the departure of control by AB.
The non-executive jobs provide no actual security or incentive for the existing employees. I once heard a rebuttal to prior layoff complaint stating that "At least you have a job". The company has proven that everyone is expendable and there is no honor or integrity when dealing with its workers. The inside joke among some of the ambassadors was that the beatings would continue until morale improved. This was repeated after every denied raise, layoff, and benefit reduction.
I feel that potential guests need to take these things into account when deciding on a visit to the SW and BG parks. Also, I hope those who have returned since the furlough see their worth and move on to better things.
I will contact that reporter. Thank you.
The story of them letting pregnant and sick ambassadors go during the pandemic without insurance is heartbreaking. Then not bringing them back knowing they need help is devastating.
Contact this reporter at the Orlando Sentinel
GRusson@orlandosentinel.com
She was writing a story awhile back and contacted a few of us. She would be most interested in hearing your stories.
I'm 54, a 30 year employee. I had a gut feeling once I was furloughed, I was not being called back. What did I do? I changed careers. I'm working as an HVAC apprentice technician with a multi-generational family business (41 years) in my home state of Maryland. They signed me up for online training to complete during my down time of relocating ( securing housing, setting up utilities and honoring my lease on my home in Florida). I just started my 6th week and it has been amazing. Learning new things, meeting new people and walking around with my head held high and a big smile on my face. Anything is possible. One negative: dealing with the winter months, I'll be okay.
The big dogs who have left before us were paid huge amounts "hush" money. We aren't so lucky. So, I will not be hushed. I know more than the average ambassador.
They make us sign that mediation form saying we will go through DRP and/or mediation before going to a lawyer. They have voided everything to those on furlough. We can not talk to our managers. That form is void also. We can seek outside legal assistance. I am not going down without a fight. Maybe not for my job back but cash in my pocket too. Oh, the stories I can and will tell.
Is the one person in the leadership meetings that will stand up and say the way ALL SEA ambassadors are being treated is wrong? We all know S.R. (CEO) would not go along with it. Please don't get him confused with SR from the board.
SEA could make a BOLD move. They could return everyone from furlough. Yes, the parks are hurting and they will say they don't have the money. But, the locals around the parks would return and spend money in the parks. it would make positive headlines. Investors would be on board too. Let's get the economy back on track starting with SEA.