SeaWorld has just announced the termination of 350 positions across the company; the news was released today, and the layoffs are effective immediately.
SeaWorld spokeswoman Aimee Johnson-Becka has stated that the majority of job losses will affect their corporate headquarters, as well as the parks in Orlando and San Diego. Most of the cuts, according to Johnson-Becka, will not be positions that deal directly with the public, but will be administrative in nature; SeaWorld’s animal rescue/rehabilitation efforts will not be adversely affected.
Suffering low attendance issues, SeaWorld had stressed a goal of saving $40 million through 2018, and this appears to be one of the measures they are taking toward that end. Johnson-Becka said of the decision, “It’s hard. These type of initiatives affect real people, but it’s what we need to do to move the business forward.”
Exactly how much will be saved through these cuts is not public knowledge, but Johnson-Becka said the savings will be used to increase park attendance through advertising and attractions.
Employees were notified today of the cuts; those included in the layoffs will receive severance pay and job placement assistance.
SeaWorld said in a statement,
We remain committed to creating world-class guest experiences, providing comprehensively for the care of all our animals, and continuing our company’s focus on stranded marine animal rescue and ocean conservation initiatives.
Source: The Orlando Sentinel
