Disney has initiated a new round of layoffs impacting a couple of hundred employees, primarily within shared corporate functions like technology and human resources, according to sources speaking to Deadline. The staff reductions mark the latest cost-cutting measure under CEO Josh D’Amaro, though the cuts are smaller than two previous rounds executed earlier this year.
Corporate Restructuring Targets Shared Functions While Exempting Studio and TV Divisions
The current job cuts focus squarely on administrative and technical support roles rather than creative units. Sources familiar with the internal operations confirm that Disney Entertainment Television—headed for a major restructuring under new head Debra OConnell—remains unaffected by the staff reductions. The company’s motion picture studio is also exempt from this round of layoffs.
These adjustments follow a voluntary early retirement initiative. Disney recently concluded an exit window offering early retirement to employees at or above the director level who are at least 50 years old and have served the company for a decade or more. Industry insiders note that voluntary retirement programs typically precede involuntary staff reductions.
Internal Warnings Highlight AI Automation and Technology Investments
Talk of workforce reduction intensified internally following a September 18 memo authored by Chief Legal and Global Affairs Officer Horacio Gutierrez. Distributed to Legal and Global Affairs employees, the email warned of difficult choices regarding staffing investments and a shrinking organization driven by a transformation process that includes automating certain workflows through the latest technologies.
While the LGA department has slightly fewer than 1,000 global members, sources indicate that unspecified job cuts within that division are separate from the current round of corporate layoffs. Employees across the entertainment sector remain on edge amid mounting competition from Big Tech and the growing integration of artificial intelligence.
D’Amaro Continues Enterprise-Wide Cost Reductions Initiated by Leadership Transition
CEO Josh D’Amaro has overseen multiple reductions since succeeding Bob Iger last March. His tenure began with 1,000 job cuts in April, followed by several hundred more in July that primarily hit Pixar and National Geographic.
In an August 5 letter to shareholders, D’Amaro and CFO Hugh Johnston emphasized an ongoing focus on enterprise cost reduction to fund future growth initiatives. They stated that the company is actively evaluating labor and Selling, General, and Administrative expenses as they move mid-stream through their cost-saving strategy.
Despite the disruption to the workforce, the current reductions are substantially smaller than the large-scale downsizing managed by Iger after his return in 2022. Between 2023 and 2025, Disney eliminated approximately 8,000 jobs, successfully achieving $7.5 billion in cost savings—far exceeding initial corporate forecasts.
Frequently Asked Questions About Disney Workforce Reductions
Which departments are affected by the latest Disney layoffs?
The cuts primarily target shared corporate functions such as technology and human resources, impacting roughly a couple of hundred employees.
How many total employees does Disney have?
As of the end of fiscal 2025, Disney reported a total workforce of 231,000 employees, with 172,000 based in the United States and 59,000 internationally.
How do these cuts compare to previous reductions under Bob Iger?
The current layoffs under Josh D’Amaro affect a couple of hundred workers, which is a fraction of the 8,000 positions cut between 2023 and 2025 during Iger’s broader restructuring.