30 Rules Universal Studios Employees Need To Follow
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If you think Disney has a lot of rules, just check out all these rules that Universal Studios employees are forced to follow.
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Universal Studios Theme Parks are some of the most popular theme parks in the world. Owned by NBC, the Universal Studios company has made movies such as Child’s Play, Kung Fu Panda, and Pitch Perfect. With over 40 million guests a year, Universal Studios may one day be more popular than Disney World. Disney World is so popular that there are strict guidelines when working for them. This goes for Universal as well. Universal is a big company, and Universal’s Parks and Resorts are some of the biggest theme parks money can buy. They have locations in Orlando, Hollywood, and Japan! With likely more to be seen soon!
As one of their 2500 employees, there are many perks to working here. You have a completely free Doctor on Demand, life insurance, paid holidays, and much more. You’ll likely get to retire early! But with all these perks, there are also a few things that many consider to be cons. These are known as rules. Most people despise rules as they prefer to be in control of their own life. Well, like it or not, when at work, you follow the rules of your company. We’ve searched through the Universal Studios Employee Handbooks as well as taken firsthand accounts from ex-employees! We’ve done all this to find out exactly what rules these employees have to follow. That’s where we came up with these thirty rules that Universal Studios Employees working at the Parks have to follow! If they don’t want to be terminated, that is…
30 Trust Is Never Earned
Even though the employees aren’t considered guests, at Universal Studios, everyone (and that means everyone) must pass through security. Some people at Glass Door admit that it was their least favorite part of working there. All of their bags go through x-rays and each person must pass through a metal detector before entering. It’s easy to see why this would make them feel disrespected. As if the company was treating them like criminals. Not a lot of people realize that employees aren’t really that much different than guests in terms of trust. People are people, and how many times have you seen employees steal from their company? Not much less often than guests. Still, the process would get old pretty fast after spending 15 minutes just trying to get past security in order to work.
29 Tats Are For Criminals
Even guests must go by this rule, actually, though it’s not often enforced unless called out. While not all tattoos have to be covered, in Universal Studios Hollywood, any tattoo that may be considered offensive or inappropriate must be covered at all times. But face tattoos and hand tattoos are strictly prohibited. And get this: they can’t be covered by makeup either.
That means that if you have a face tattoo, then you are not allowed to work for Universal, at all.
What’s even worse is your tattoo could lose you your job! If you don’t tell your interviewer about the tattoos that you do have, you will be terminated from your position. If they ever find out, that is. Guess lying is about the worst thing you can do.
28 Let Me Take A Selfie
While selfie sticks are allowed at Universal Studios in theory, they must be stored away unless in use. Why? Because they are considered a “potential weapon,” and the only permitted stick is one used for medical reasons. Yeah, “medical reasons.” What they call sticks in the rulebook are right there with knives in the list of weapons.
However, those are the rules for the guests. As for employees, they are discouraged from using selfie sticks or taking photos at all. They will be warned if they are seen trying to take a photo unless a guest has asked them to. Selfies, in general, are prohibited while on the clock. It looks unprofessional and makes you “unavailable” to guests. If anything, it’s important to never focus on yourself while working.
27 What In Tarnation?
It does look really bad on the resorts if an employee spits, obviously. Who wants to see someone hack a loogy in uniform? This really shouldn’t be a rule because employees should know not to spit in front of guests. Who goes around spitting anyway? However, that’s not the only reason spitting is prohibited. It is seen as rude and is against the rules for employees to do. They may be terminated if they knowingly break this rule due to the bad reviews the resorts may receive after a guest witnesses the act. We can see that review now, “I used to love Universal Studios, everyone is so nice! But then…I saw this lanky teen spit right in front of my daughter…never going back!”
On the other hand, guests are also asked not to spit. If they are caught doing so they will get a mild warning.
26 Impress The Guest
On average, each guest at Universal interacts with fifty Team Members a day when they visit Universal Orlando. According to the handbook, “If all fifty Team Members meet or exceed a guest’s expectations, the guest leaves wowed and tells others about the amazing experience. This word-of-mouth compliment is the most powerful form of marketing and brings many more guests to our resort.”
The question they ask is: Can fifty Team Members impress every guest, every time? YES! It is an employee’s number one job to impress the guests. They expect every single employee to do so. Those who don’t may lead themselves to termination, whereas those who strive to do so, may be led to promotions. You may sound like a cars salesman or a 1980s Walmart Employee, but hey, that’s what you’re getting paid for.
25 Grooming Time
Universal tells their employees to, “Prepare for the day, ensuring proper grooming, wardrobe, and name badge placement. Be ready for our guests; smile and be approachable. Also, ensure that your area is clean, stocked, safe, and show-ready.”
This includes a checklist of everything that needs to be done before work.
This grooming time is not taken lightly and is checked by your supervisor. One of the biggest things that are checked is fingernails. Your fingernails must be clipped to ¼ inch above finger at most, filed smoothly, and cleaned to perfection. Nails may be painted on women only, but if chipped paint is seen, you’ll be asked to take polish remover to your nails. Cracked nails look trashy, so no…do it right or don’t do it. Only neutral colors that complement the uniform can be worn.
24 Leave The Media Out Of It
At Universal Studios, there’s a confidentiality agreement where you state that you will not let anyone know anything that is not public knowledge. Anything about Universal that is. There’s also a brand loyalty, meaning you are loyal to Universal Studios at all times. You must not talk bad about them or even about them at all unless the company okays it. That means no interviews even after you are terminated. So if you were waiting for Washington Post for your big break, then you’re out of luck.
You’re also not allowed to talk about VIP members or celebrities. When the “rich people” escape to the resorts, they expect a vacation. If an employee assists them then blabs about it on social media, it looks awful on the company. It’s important to keep a closed mouth. No asking for autographs either.
23 The Dress Code
The dress code for working here is intense. Shoes must be black, white, or brown (no exceptions). They must have matching shoelaces as well. No hats unless given to you by Wardrobe (who is in control of your appearance). Hair must be pulled back in an approved way with matching tie. If you wear a plain rubber band, it must be covered with an approved tie.
And those pockets? No bulging! That’s right, the rules simply state, “no bulging pockets,” at all. You must not wear anything patterned or bright, even down to those solid undergarments. We don’t know if these are checked, but if your undergarments are seen, then you’ll be asked to fix that. No pants on the ground! And those pants? Fitted at the waistline and tucked in like Urkel.
22 Sorry Material Girls
If makeup is your thing, then you don’t want to work here. Only natural makeup and hair are allowed. No dreadlocks, no asymmetrical hair, and no shaving your head unless you’re a man and you shave the entire thing. The whole shaved design is not allowed. Cornrows are okay but must not reach the collar for men. You can have bangs, but nothing covering your eyes. And guys? No long flowy hair! Men must have their hair no longer than the center of the back of their neck.
As for the women, you can have any kind of hair as long as it looks 100% natural. It’s as if they want everyone to look the same…like they are siblings born and raised in the park. Now that’s a creepy movie.
21 Find An Answer
This is one that carries over from Disney World. As an employee, it’s your job to make sure you know everything there is to know about Universal Studios, their parks, and their characters. But most importantly: know your area! If you didn’t learn something in your studies, find out!
The most important rule is to never say, “no.” Never answer, “I don’t know,” when a guest asks you something. If they want to know where ten different trash cans are, then tell them. If they want to know what exact date the ride they just took was opened, tell them. If they want to know Woody Woodpecker’s middle name…find out if he has one. If you don’t know the answer, then find out before letting them walk away.
20 Not A Family Business
There’s a strict policy against working with family members at Universal Studios. Favoritism can occur as can many other things that may affect your ability to fairly do your job to the best interest of the company. But there’s also a policy against working with someone you’re romantically involved with. If you start dating a co-worker, you’ll be moved to another section. Hey, at least you won’t get fired!
We wouldn’t be surprised if people started dating but kept it on the down low in order to be able to hang out with each other all day. But then again, maybe working together is bad for your relationship. What if it’s your mother? “Go pick up that diaper someone just threw down, Billy,” she would snap. However, all she’s done all day was stand there and order you around.
19 Loss Prevention
This one here is actually a perk. If you find counterfeit money, you will actually be rewarded. In fact, if you find anything that is losing the company money, you will be rewarded. Sometimes…big time! They want you to speak up whenever you can and want to make it worth it.
You are required to point out anything that just doesn’t seem right.
Universal Studio states that “cash handlers will receive a $100 reward for the detection of counterfeit currency at the point of sale. You will receive a minimum $100, maximum $5,000 reward for information resulting in the termination or arrest of an individual stealing from this Company.” This policy is so enticing that you’ll want to make some counterfeit just to turn it in.
18 NERF When Fire
In case of emergency, do not panic! Follow the rules of NERF. And no, we’re not talking about putting out fires with water guns or shooting thieves with a foam bullet. We’re talking about the NERF rule. “Use the Nearest safe Exit, unless instructed to do otherwise,” then, “Return to the Front of the building or location.”
Thankfully, the studios have their own emergency teams and a mascot known as Safety Man. He wears a hard hat. It’s like Bob the Builder with a cape! Now that’s someone we can all look up to. The guy can fix anything! Obviously, a fire is one of those. Though he prefers employees to NERF when they can. It can be rather daunting to be in charge of every guest in your vicinity when there’s an emergency.
17 Code Of “Conduct”
There are strict rules against any sort of disorderly conduct, as there are in any decent workplace. You are to be polite, kind, and respectful, to everyone you meet. This includes the big three no-nos of misconduct: visual, physical, or verbal. This includes, but is not limited to, unwelcome advances, requests, or slurs. And we don’t mean slurring our words to create lazy speech or an impediment.
You can even get in trouble for whistling or leering at someone. What’s funny is the first thing an employee must do is tell the person hurting them first. What are you supposed to say though? “Um…sir, it hurt my feelings when you touched me…” or, “excuse me, but this is Florida and you’re not allowed to say that word…apologize.” We see that going so well.
16 The 10/5 Rule
Now listen carefully to these three words: Look, Focus, Act – to make every NOW a WOW! That’s the first thing you’ll learn as a Universal Studios employee. And as far as acting goes, it is exceeding the expectations of the guests. You don’t meet their expectations, you exceed them in whatever way possible.
One of the ways to do this is to follow the 10/5 rule. If a guest is within ten feet of you, you must smile, nod, and make eye contact. Just like you would a stranger. If they are within five feet of you, you must speak to them. Ask them if you can help them with anything. Offer some company-positive suggestions. Anything that will make them feel welcome without feeling smothered.
15 Meetings With Supervisor
This one gets the anti-social people, who are constantly worried about their own actions, every time. It’s miserable to be monitored, but even more miserable to go through checkpoints every so often. It is crucial that each employee takes part in regular one-on-one meetings with the supervisor to ensure they meet the company standards. You can imagine how nerve-racking this would be. You will be questioned, put through exams, and anything else the supervisor needs to do to make sure you can stay with them. You’ll be asking yourself, “Was it…five-ten or ten-five…was it feet or yards? I’m so getting fired!”
The worst though is after (or during) that first 90-days when you’re under close monitoring. At any time, your supervisor may terminate your contract without notice. Just because you’re not “fit” for the job.
14 Amish Zone, BB
This one is strict and it includes cell phones! No texting, talking on the phone, or using social media, while at work. It also means that you can’t use earbuds or listen to music at the park as an employee. The backstage employees’ rules are slightly different, but each electronic must be approved by your supervisor.
In general though, if it uses electricity, you can’t use it…bottom line.
They don’t allow many personal items on the property anyway, so this one isn’t that surprising. At least you can have your phone with you, you just have to put it on silent. A lot of good that’s going to do you…until you take that “bathroom break” of course. Meme to your heart’s content! Hopefully, they don’t have cameras there. Yikes!
13 This Goes For Team Members Too!
It’s surprising, but the 10/5 rule applies to your co-workers as well. It’s your job to make the people you work with feel as comfortable as possible at all times. If they are in distress, it’s your job to help! Ten feet away? Smile at them. Five feet away? Strike up a conversation. The rulebook even says that if you see that they are looking for something, are stressed, or are struggling with a guest, you have to offer your own help. You may not be able to work with family members, but you are expected to treat co-workers like they are family.
The only rule against this is that guests take priority over co-workers. But when you’re through with the guest, then your co-worker better be feeling better soon.
12 Finders Keepers!
Another perk of this job is the lost and found. Whenever you find an item, as a team member, you sign it in at the Lost and Found. This is where you sign your name and list the item that you drop off. If it’s not claimed in 90 days, the member who turned it in may keep it if they desire! But not all items are claimable! Such as ID cards, credit cards, foreign currency, video camcorders, any electronic device that holds information permanently (portable media players, tablets, mobile phones, flash drives, and storage cards), tobacco products, weapons, or paraphernalia. But anything else is the employee’s if the item is not claimed. That’s a good way to make some extra money since tips aren’t allowed on the grounds.
11 Do I Look Like A Garbage Man?
There are no “cleaners” or “janitor-only” jobs at Universal Studios. In these resorts, everyone pitches in when they can. It is every employee’s duty to pick up trash or clean up a mess if they see it. The people who look to this job for prestigious reasons are sorely disappointed to hear that they are asked to pick up trash on a daily basis. If you see something that needs to be done, you do it! Simple as that. It doesn’t matter if it’s your “job” or not, because the main goal is to make the company and park look as good as possible.
Don’t be surprised if you’re asked to clean a toilet every now and then. Sometimes it beats standing in front of the Despicable Me area all day long, quoting the movies.
Link Source : https://www.thegamer.com/rules-universal-studios-employees-follow/