The Walt Disney Company is reportedly planning thousands of job cuts as part of a new restructuring effort. Managers at the entertainment company have been asked to target around 20 per cent savings in annual costs, though the exact number of roles at risk has not been confirmed. With a global workforce of about 2,31,000 employees, the scale of potential reductions could be significant.
The reasons behind the move are clear. Disney is facing multiple challenges: weaker box office returns, rising competition from streaming rivals, slower attendance at international theme parks, and the growing need to invest in artificial intelligence and new technologies. Cutting jobs is seen as a way to reduce operating expenses and free up funds for reinvestment in film, television, technology, theme parks, and cruise businesses.
This is not the first time Disney has trimmed its workforce. In recent years, the company has consistently reduced headcount to improve profitability. In 2023, under former CEO Bob Iger, Disney eliminated 7,000 jobs to save $5.5 billion. More recently, hundreds of roles were cut across human resources and technology divisions, followed by another 1,000 positions in April 2025 and several hundred later that year.
The impact of repeated layoffs is felt across the organisation. While customer facing operations may be protected, back office teams and support functions face uncertainty. For employees, the constant restructuring creates anxiety and affects morale. For HR leaders, the challenge lies in managing transitions, supporting affected staff, and maintaining engagement among those who remain.
Disney’s latest cuts highlight the broader pressures facing media and entertainment companies, where balancing cost control with innovation has become the defining struggle.
