SeaWorld Entertainment Announces 320 Layoffs Across Company
Earlier this week, SeaWorld confirmed that 320 employees across the entire SeaWorld chain will lose their jobs as part of a company wide restructure to cut costs. This announcement comes two years after the company announced its last round of layoffs, which also affected over 300 employees.
Over 60 employees at SeaWorld San Diego lost their jobs. SeaWorld Entertainment stated that these layoffs are across the entire 12 park chain, and will consist of current workers, as well as the elimination of vacant positions. All of the affected workers will receive a two month severance package and other incentives, and their benefits will continue until the beginning of February. Other positions that were cut in San Diego varied from full time hourly supervisors of operations and merchandise, and four assistant curators. Multiple positions in the zoological department of all the parks were eliminated.
In November, SeaWorld announced a company wide cost optimization program that would save the company $40 million through 2018, but did not mention layoffs at the time.
“We remain committed to a continued focus on the guest experience, the health and welfare of our animals, and the safety of our guests and team members,” SeaWorld said in a statement on Tuesday. “It is an unfortunate, but necessary, consequence of the restructuring that some positions will be lost. For those employees, we are offering enhanced severance benefits and outplacement assistance to help with their transition.”
SeaWorld is still suffering from Blackfish, a documentary falsely defaming the parks about poor treatment of their killer whales. While 2015 was a better year for the company, 2016 did not see the attendance and revenue that 2015 brought. Some of these factors were the lack of Brazilian tourists due to the poor Brazilian economy and the Olympics, plus the unfortunate events that happened in Orlando this past June. SeaWorld announced earlier this year that it will phase out its killer whales completely and the ones in captivity will be the last.
Our hearts definitely go out to all of the employees that dedicated their time and careers to the SeaWorld chain. SeaWorld stated that this move is necessary for future growth, and 2017 will hopefully be a better year for the company.
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