Disney Layoffs Hit HR And Technology

Disney layoffs reported on Sept. 29, 2026, targeted human-resources and technology roles in a new round of reductions under CEO Josh D’Amaro. The cuts are part of a companywide cost review outlined in an Aug. 5 shareholder letter that identified labor and selling, general, and administrative expenses (SG&A) as key levers.

Third Round Cuts Focus on HR and Technology

The latest reductions eliminated about 300 positions, primarily in human resources and technology across corporate and various divisions. This marks the third round of layoffs since D’Amaro became CEO in March 2026.

In April 2026, Disney cut roughly 1,000 jobs following the consolidation of its enterprise marketing division. Several hundred more roles were eliminated in July, mainly at Pixar and National Geographic. Reports indicate that television operations and the film studio were not affected in the latest round.

Cost Program and Workforce Context

In an Aug. 5, 2026 shareholder letter, D’Amaro and CFO Hugh Johnston said Disney was focused on reducing costs across the company and was evaluating reductions in labor and SG&A to create capacity for growth investments. The letter stated, "We are mid-stream in this work and will provide future updates on progress."

At the end of fiscal 2025, Disney employed about 231,000 people, including approximately 172,000 in the United States and 59,000 abroad.

A Sept. 18 internal memo from Chief Legal and Global Affairs Officer Horacio Gutierrez described a transformation in Legal and Global Affairs emphasizing automation, self-service models, alternative providers, expanded shared services, and possible outsourcing. This memo did not confirm that the latest layoffs included that division.

The company has framed these workforce reductions as part of broader cost-cutting efforts to free resources for growth.