After being informed of the relocation in 2021, the two Walt Disney Co. employees sold their California homes and purchased property in Florida. However, Disney later reversed its decision.
Two Disney employees, Maria De La Cruz and George Fong, who had relocated from Southern California to Florida following the company’s announcement of moving jobs to a new campus in Florida, only to have those plans canceled, are now suing the entertainment giant.
In a proposed class-action lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on June 18 but still awaiting filing, De La Cruz and Fong claim that in 2021, they were informed that their positions at Disney in Glendale would be relocated from California to Florida. As a result, they sold their local homes and purchased new ones in Florida.
Disney had initially announced plans in 2021 to transfer employees to a new $1 billion office complex near Orlando, citing Florida’s business-friendly environment, rich hospitality culture, and lower cost of living with no state income tax.
However, following conflicts with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis over legislation restricting certain educational topics, Disney faced criticism for not publicly denouncing the law. This led to an apology from then-CEO Bob Chapek and a statement opposing the legislation. Chapek was later replaced by Bob Iger.
Amidst public criticism from DeSantis, Disney ultimately decided to abandon the relocation plans, citing changing business conditions. Chairman Josh D’Amaro announced the decision in an email to employees, mentioning only “changing business conditions.”
Following the lawsuit against DeSantis and the decision to halt the relocation, employees like Fong were left uncertain about their job security. Fong eventually returned to California after facing difficulties with Disney’s compensation offer.
De La Cruz is currently in the process of moving back to California. The lawsuit accuses Disney of misrepresentation and seeks compensatory and punitive damages.
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