Disney World Reverses Decision To Require Worker Vaccinations

Orlando FL

24 November, 2021

4:55 PM

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ORLANDO, FL — Just as a slew of employees prepared to lose their jobs over Walt Disney World Orlando's mandatory coronavirus vaccine requirement, Disney did an about-face following last week's special legislative session in Florida. After three days in session considering a myriad of bills intended to thwart the Biden administration's vaccine mandates for various businesses, Florida's Republican-led Legislature passed a bill calling for penalties for Florida businesses that fire employees who decline to be vaccinated. Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the bill and several others into law on Thursday, making them effective immediately. Medium and big businesses that fire employees for failing to be vaccinated against COVID-19 will face fines of $50,000 per employee violation. Small businesses with 99 employees or less will face penalties of $10,000 per employee violation. Florida is the first state to pass legislation to penalize businesses for vaccine mandates. In lieu of vaccinations, the legislation allows employees to claim exemptions due to health, religious concerns, pregnancy or anticipated pregnancy, and past recovery from COVID-19. Employees can opt for periodic coronavirus testing or wearing personal protection equipment instead of being vaccinated, and the employer is required to pay the cost of testing and PPE. Following passage of the new law, Disney World Orlando said it will defer any plans to terminate employees who fail to be vaccinated. Disney World's Florida theme parks and hotels employ more than 77,000 people. In a statement to Patch, Disney defended its decision in July to require salaried and non-union hourly employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19. About a month later, the theme park reached a deal with the Services Trades Council Union for a similar mandate for union employees. "We believe that our approach to mandatory vaccines has been the right one as we've continued to focus on the safety and well-being of our Cast Members and Guests, and at this point, more than 90 percent of active Florida-based Cast Members have already verified that they are fully vaccinated," the statement read. The theme park added, however, that it reserves the right to change that policy, saying, "We will address legal developments as appropriate." With that announcement from Disney World, DeSantis's spokeswoman, Christina Pushaw, was quick to respond with a statement from the governor. "As we would expect, Disney has amended its vaccination policy to comply with Florida law. We believe that all companies in Florida will likewise follow the law signed by Gov. DeSantis this week." Disney World has given no indication that it will ease up on its mask mandate for employees and visitors that was reinstituted July 30 following the surge in coronavirus due to the introduction of the delta variant. In fact, the theme park has begun running a series of television commercials showing happy mask-wearing families who assure audiences that face coverings has no affect on their enjoyment of the Disney theme parks. Face coverings are required for all employees and guests age 2 and up in all indoor locations except when eating or drinking, on rides, buses, monorails and the Disney Skyliner. Masks are voluntary in all outdoor areas, including outdoor attractions, outdoor queues and outdoor theaters. The newly relaunched Disney Cruise Line hasn't backed down on its requirement, effective Jan. 13, that all guests age 5 and up be vaccinated. The cruise line will also require parents to show proof a negative COVID-19 test result three days to 24 hours before they set sail for children under 5 years old. See related stories: FL Democrats Call Special Legislative Session 'Political Theater'Disney Cruise Line Will Require Vaccines For Guests 5 And OlderCOVID-19 Mandates Won't Cost Floridians Their Jobs: DeSantisUS Vaccine Mandate Targeted By FL Lawmakers In Special SessionDeSantis Sets Nov. 15 Start Date For Special Session Of FL LegislatureDeSantis Sues Biden Over Vaccine Mandates For BusinessesVaccine Mandates Would Put Thousands Out Of Work: Gov. DeSantis