SeaWorld says it will permanently lay off some of its furloughed workers

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — SeaWorld said Friday that it will permanently lay off some of its employees who had been on furlough.

The company said in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing that it will lay off its furloughed park and corporate personnel.

Read: Furloughed SeaWorld workers concerned after possibly seeing their jobs posted online

It said the decision was made in order to reduce operating expenses and to adjust cash flows amid the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The company said in the SEC filing that it expects to spend between $2.5 million to $3 million on employee severances.

Read: SeaWorld offering teachers free admission through August 2021

Channel 9 has asked SeaWorld how many workers were affected by its decision, but the company did not specify.

It did provide Channel 9 with the following statement:

Statement from SeaWorld

“The worldwide COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on each of our lives, in ways both small and profound. The same is true for the travel, tourism, entertainment and hospitality industries, and the operations of SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment Inc.

While we were able to bring thousands of furloughed ambassadors back to work and hoped to bring back everyone, the current environment requires us to set up the company for long-term success. SeaWorld has determined that it must transition certain park and corporate personnel from a furloughed status to a permanent layoff.

Read: SeaWorld Orlando furloughed employee concerned after seeing similar job opening online

We deeply appreciate the hard work and dedication of our ambassadors to our company’s shared mission, values and goals. Over our 60-year history, our parks have inspired millions of guests to love, protect and care for our planet’s animals and their habitats. We are sorry to have to part ways with any team members in this difficult moment, but their abiding commitment to our guests, fellow ambassadors and animals is recognized and made a lasting impact.”

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Video: SeaWorld Orlando furloughed employee concerned after seeing similar job opening online SeaWorld is back open seven days a week, but not all employees are back on the job. (WFTV)

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