Disney is continuing to reduce its workforce under the leadership of new CEO Josh D’Amaro, who took over from Bob Iger earlier this year. The company announced that several hundred employees will be let go in the latest round of cuts, which follows previous layoffs and cost-reduction efforts. This move comes after Disney's August earnings report, in which the company signaled that it was preparing for further reductions.
In April, D'Amaro oversaw a round of layoffs involving around 1,000 workers, according to Fast Company. Another round of cuts followed in July, mainly affecting employees from Pixar and National Geographic. The company's restructuring efforts are part of a broader industry trend as AI automation and streaming services reshape media production.
Disney is not alone in this approach, with other major entertainment companies also reducing staff to manage costs. Former CEO Bob Chapek’s upcoming memoir has also sparked discussion, with excerpts suggesting he was unfairly blamed for company issues. The company's leadership is focused on cutting expenses to allow more room for growth investments, and has evaluated various cost-reduction strategies.
The latest Disney layoffs are primarily affecting technology and human resources employees. They represent the third round of job cuts since D’Amaro became CEO on March 18.
Disney had about 231,000 employees at the end of its 2025 fiscal year.
Workday, the enterprise software company, is also undergoing layoffs under CEO Aneel Bhusri, according to a report from Business Insider. Bhusri returned as CEO in February, and Workday has now conducted two rounds of layoffs this year. The first round of layoffs in February included about 400 employees, and the company’s former CEO Carl Eschenbach stepped down shortly after.
Workday has not cited artificial intelligence as a reason for the recent layoffs, even though AI concerns have affected investor confidence in enterprise software vendors. Despite the cuts, Bhusri remains optimistic about the company's future prospects. He noted that no customers have expressed interest in replacing Workday with internal solutions or products from startups.
Workday’s latest round of layoffs affects about 500 employees or roughly 2.5% of its workforce. The cuts are concentrated mainly in the company’s product and technology organizations.
The company also said restructuring costs associated with the layoffs would affect its near-term financial results. Both Disney and Workday are adjusting their operations amid broader shifts in the business landscape, including changes in technology and media consumption.
The entertainment industry is seeing a wave of corporate restructuring as companies seek to align with evolving market demands. Other media firms, such as Paramount, are also pursuing cost-saving strategies through mergers and workforce adjustments.