Disney Seeks Dismissal Of Lawsuit Over A Pulled Job Offer
The Walt Disney Company is urging a California judge to toss out a lawsuit from an executive who contends that her job offer was withdrawn after the company’s feud with the state of Florida began.
Shanan Guinn is alleging that Disney rescinded an offer to become the head of corporate affairs after the company’s public spat with Florida governor Ron DeSantis began.
After Disney publically opposed Florida’s Parental Rights in Education Bill (which critics dubbed “Don’t Say Gay”), Disney made personnel changes, including rescinding Guinnn’s offer. The former British Petroleum senior vice president is now suing for a heavy severance package.
Disney Denies Wrongdoing
Disney, meanwhile, has argued that the contract Guinn signed allowed the company to rescind the offer at any time. They also say that she hasn’t shown the company concealed information from her or acted untruthfully.
“After the position ceased to exist, however, Guinn hoped that defendant The Walt Disney Company…would subsidize her with a financial windfall,” Disney said. “She told friends that she was ‘aiming for a year’ of severance. Plus signing bonuses — for a job she never started.”
Guinn Says Disney Broke Their Word
Guinn claimed in her October 2022 lawsuit that Disney delayed notifying her that the position she was offered was no longer available until after she resigned from BP.
Since that time, Guinn alleges she has been unemployed without benefits and without a pension promised in her former role.
She is accusing Disney of promissory fraud, negligent misrepresentation, and breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.
A Matter of Bad Timing?
While Guinn has asserted that her position was pulled after Disney lost a special tax status from the state of Florida, Disney has argued that in March 2022, no one knew the company would be restructured in a way that would lead to her position being eliminated on April 22, 2022.
Disney says that after it officially announced the decision and contacted Guinn to discuss the situation on April 29, 2022. When asked by human resources if she were able to remain at BP, Guinn told friends she wanted a “Summer of freedom” and sought a year of severance plus signing bonuses from Disney.
“Guinn has not identified one false statement, false promise, or act of bad faith by any specific individual. She merely attributes bad faith to ‘generally everybody who was involved,'” Disney said.
Now, both sides will wait for the judge’s decision.