HomeDisney NewsCirque du Soleil Furloughs 95% of Employees Due to Coronavirus Pandemic

Cirque du Soleil Furloughs 95% of Employees Due to Coronavirus Pandemic

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Sorry to be the bearer of bad news yet again, but Cirque du Soleil just laid-off 95% of their employees and the upcoming new show at Disney Springs, Drawn to Life, as been indefinitely delayed. Only 259 of the original 4,679 staff members will be kept on. The staff that was kept are only there to oversee “basic operation” and to “plan, and sell tickets, for future tours.”

The company issued the following statement:

MONTREALMarch 19, 2020 /CNW Telbec/ – Due to the coronavirus pandemic and the forced closure of all its shows worldwide to ensure the health, safety and well-being of its employees, artists and guests, Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group is forced to make significant temporary staff reductions, impacting 95% of its workforce for a total of 4679 employees, effective immediately. This was an incredibly difficult decision for the Group, but a necessary measure to stabilize the company for the future.

As a result of the health crisis, cities and countries where the Group performs have unanimously legislated the closure of public gatherings of more than 250 people, following government guidance. Consequently, the company was left with no other option but to call for an unprecedented halt in activity until the pandemic is controlled and its performers, employees and audience members are no longer at risk. When this crisis started, the Group had in its portfolio of active shows 44 productions. Following the World Health Organization (WHO) announcement that the coronavirus situation was now characterized as a pandemic, the company had no other choice but to shut down all operations. This decision is not one that was taken lightly.

“It is the most difficult day in Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group history. We’re deeply saddened by the dramatic measures taken today, as the temporary layoff includes many hardworking, dedicated people. Unfortunately, this decision is our only option as we are forced to position ourselves to weather this storm and prepare for eventual re-openings,” says Daniel Lamarre, President and CEO Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group.

Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group is working with all its partners, as well as the federal and provincial governments, to identify how to best support its employees and prepare for a healthy return as soon as the pandemic is controlled.  Immediate steps to provide support for employees who have been laid off temporarily include paid vacation time, insurance coverage maintained during the temporary layoff and access to the Group’s employee support program.

These strategic actions will position Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group to continue operations and rebuild once the global crisis subsides. A core support team will continue working in the company to maintain basic operations, continue tour planning and ticket sales for our shows later this year and in 2021, and prepare for rehiring as soon as productions are allowed to resume. “As one of the most trusted brands and successful live entertainment organizations, we are confident that when the day comes when we can reopen our shows, we will be ready to welcome the millions of fans who come to our shows worldwide,” concluded Daniel Lamarre.

Due to the shut-downs and for the safety of their performers and the public, they are laying people off.

We already knew a couple of days ago that they were suspending all shows, but now they have laid off almost all of their workforce.

 

Hopefully, after this is over, they can call back their employees and get the show back on track, but realistically, it could be months until the show could be released. As long as Cirque du Soleil hangs on I’m sure the show will eventually premier.

What do you think? Comment and let us know!

Sources: Forbes, prnewswire, Twitter.

 


Pirates & Princesses (PNP) is an independent, opinionated fan-powered news blog that covers Disney and Universal Theme Parks, Themed Entertainment and related Pop Culture from a consumer's point of view. Opinions expressed by our contributors do not necessarily reflect the views of PNP, its editors, affiliates, sponsors or advertisers. PNP is an unofficial news source and has no connection to The Walt Disney Company, NBCUniversal or any other company that we may cover.



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