When you think about it, the corporate environment is kind of a weird place. Socially, it almost works like a miniature version of society as a whole. In other words: Anyone who is positioned in the upper levels of management hierarchy is, in that particular company, treated like a celebrity.
Let's say the head honcho's name is -- as in the case of Sunday night's premiere of 'Undercover Boss,' featuring the Waste Management CEO posing as a regular employee -- Larry O'Donnell. "Did you hear?" co-workers will gab, "Larry O'Donnell is visiting today," followed by a sense of excitement and anxiety. It's not just that it's their boss. No, it's mostly because it's the guy they've seen in those corporate videos explaining the new employee referral policy. And in the eyes of that particular company, a celebrity. But to us, the people not in that particular company, Larry O'Donnell is not a celebrity; no different than the guy on the corner selling hot dogs or the lady I spoke to today to dispute a credit card charge. Now, thanks to CBS's 'Undercover Boss,' that's no longer the case. Now these company big wigs are on network television ... and there's a lot not right about that.
Look, a lot of us have jobs that we do -- and many do very well -- that, well, we think of as "just a job." It pays the bills and, for the most part, we just want to go in, do our work, then go home. That's it. We certainly -- as in the case of the employees of Waste Management, the featured corporation on Sunday's episode -- wouldn't want to be filmed scrambling to our time clock after lunch so we're not docked two minutes for every minute late (a policy that, it appears, had been corrected by the end of the episode). Or, worse, urinating into a tin can during a daily garbage route because there's no women's restroom on the route. Watching people, you know, earn money so they can buy food. Hey, but it makes good television, right? No, no it doesn't. It's bad enough when your boss monitors your e-mails. Imagine having a bad day at work and it's broadcast on national television -- right after the most watched event of the year, the Super Bowl.
The worst part: The employees featured don't make a dime from their appearance. Sure, a couple of them received promotions, which included a nice little raise after Larry O'Donnell took notice of their performance. And I'm sure the ones who happened to do well that day -- assuming a few weren't tipped off; I'm not 100 percent convinced they weren't -- are thrilled about the exposure and increase in pay. Do you think they would still be as thrilled once they find out what one 30-second commercial slot costs on a post-Super Bowl broadcast? A post-Super Bowl broadcast in which they were the stars?
So, yeah, there does seem to be a sense that these people -- who are just trying to earn a living -- are being exploited on national television with no compensation. It's a time-honored tradition to complain about management at work. It can build rapport with co-workers. The United States military is based on this premise. Though, most do have a tendency to come off as buffoons on national television when they're complaining about "the man" to the new guy -- who just happens to be "the man." Oops.
Look, Larry O'Donnell came off as a nice enough guy. Though, he did have a tendency to overdo his requests of secrecy to colleges who knew about his ruse. "I don't want to blow my cover!" he would emphatically plea. Yes, "blow your cover" -- it appears he was watching too many Jason Bourne movies before this assignment. So, it's not O'Donnell that's at fault; it's just the premise of this show -- without paying its participants just, even in the world of Waste Management, smells rotten.
First, wether there is a TV crew or not, it is a good idea for the people in charge to go work a day or three with their employees. They will get a sense of what it is like, gain a better understanding of what the work is WORTH, and get too see who actually deserves a raise and who does not.
second..."Though, he did have a tendency to overdo his requests of secrecy to colleges who knew about his ruse."~it's colleagues.
First of all, the employees would have had to sign a release for them to be on TV. (Haven't you ever seen the closing credits of Taxi Cab confessions? Talk about embarrassing.) If they didn't want their stories aired on TV (showing them having a PMS-fueled day), they wouldn't have signed it.
And Connie: Exactly! Why cannot people enjoy their 15 minutes without looking for a payout? I don't know if they received any funds for their appearance, but to think that money is the only reason for being is pretty shallow, even in this economy. (Of course, nothing is stopping Sandy from collecting a fee for her appearance at the National Timeclock Association's 58th Annual Convention.)
Hunt I couldn't agree more. The writer seems to have a problem with management. I usually do not watch shows like this one, but I thought the show was well done. So what if they didnt get paid extra for being on TV. Geez get a fricking life pal.
Couldn't this writer think of something important to write about. Here he is taking up all this space on one of the worlds major internet providers, seem by millions and millions and this is how he chose to use it? Who cares about this? If you don't like it don't watch. Isn't that what everybody else does? Why not take on COPS? I'll bet those bad guys don't get a dime either.
I agree. Take a pill and relax! Why does everyone in the media spend so much time putting the negative spin on EVERYTHING! I suppose the moron who wrote this article feels everyone in the stands at the Superbowl is entitled to a check from the network too. The people on UNDERCOVER BOSS signed a standard release and had the option of saying no. They were thrilled to have their 15 seconds of fame on network TV. The problem with the writer of this article is that he obviously equates money to happiness.
Agreed. Mike Ryan obviously has a his nickers in a twist over...nothing. Perhaps Ryan secretly wishes he could find a real journalist job like he wanted, fresh outta college. Mama always told Mike he was special, so little Mikey grew up feeling entitled to writing for The New York Times, or Wall Street Journal, or even...Time magazine!!!! Sorry Mike. These publications are cutting, not adding employees. Enjoy your pseudo reporting career doing "Pop-Eater." It's obvious you have a bias against business.
Amen - Sounds like Mike Ryan (who ever heard of him????) is pis*ed that the episode wasn't about his boss and he didn't get any TV time. On second thought, he probably has the perfect face for radio or print, but needs to further educate himself before continuing the latter. Try some positive pills - negativity is too much of a downer.
Could it be that the worker were just glad to be heard for a change and seen and valued. Money isn't the answer for everything. Sometimes people just want to feel appreciated and valued for what they do on a daily basis. Plus the world just found out what it takes for their life to be better. I enjoyed the show and the premise. I thought the workers shown were shown in a good light. I would have wanted some for a friend. The writer needs to chill.
I agree with WOW on Feb.09. The cameras were explained by the filming of a show about new hires. AFTER the filming and AFTER the employees were advised as to who Larry is, I'm sure the employees had the option to not let their segment be used. If they agreed they probably had to sign a release of some kind. I bet they filmed a lot more than we saw. The show is great and I have set the DVR in case I'm not home when the show airs.
OH IT WAS FUNNY TO WATCH! Even the guy who was a jerk got taken care of because he had medical issues. I thought the president handled himself with class & professionalism to all both on the job & after he revealed who he was. We all liked the show here.
That guy wasn't a jerk. he was a hard working guy who wanted the employees who he supervised to work hard and work to high standards. Sorry if he didn't do it in a warm and cuddly fashion but most people don't. He was a hard boss but not because he was a jerk.
When you think about it, the corporate environment is kind of a weird place. Socially, it almost works like a miniature version of society as a whole. In other words: Anyone who is positioned in the upper levels of management hierarchy is, in that particular company, treated like a celebrity.
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Geez. Take a pill and relax.
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...and learn how to spell (colleges instead of colleagues for one)
First, wether there is a TV crew or not, it is a good idea for the people in charge to go work a day or three with their employees. They will get a sense of what it is like, gain a better understanding of what the work is WORTH, and get too see who actually deserves a raise and who does not.
second..."Though, he did have a tendency to overdo his requests of secrecy to colleges who knew about his ruse."~it's colleagues.
*whether lol, oops
First of all, the employees would have had to sign a release for them to be on TV. (Haven't you ever seen the closing credits of Taxi Cab confessions? Talk about embarrassing.) If they didn't want their stories aired on TV (showing them having a PMS-fueled day), they wouldn't have signed it.
And Connie: Exactly! Why cannot people enjoy their 15 minutes without looking for a payout? I don't know if they received any funds for their appearance, but to think that money is the only reason for being is pretty shallow, even in this economy. (Of course, nothing is stopping Sandy from collecting a fee for her appearance at the National Timeclock Association's 58th Annual Convention.)
Hunt I couldn't agree more. The writer seems to have a problem with management. I usually do not watch shows like this one, but I thought the show was well done. So what if they didnt get paid extra for being on TV. Geez get a fricking life pal.
Yeah, turn your head and cough....
Couldn't this writer think of something important to write about. Here he is taking up all this space on one of the worlds major internet providers, seem by millions and millions and this is how he chose to use it? Who cares about this? If you don't like it don't watch. Isn't that what everybody else does? Why not take on COPS? I'll bet those bad guys don't get a dime either.
I agree. Take a pill and relax! Why does everyone in the media spend so much time putting the negative spin on EVERYTHING! I suppose the moron who wrote this article feels everyone in the stands at the Superbowl is entitled to a check from the network too. The people on UNDERCOVER BOSS signed a standard release and had the option of saying no. They were thrilled to have their 15 seconds of fame on network TV. The problem with the writer of this article is that he obviously equates money to happiness.
My sentiments exactly. They're making an issue here where there is no issue. If you can't review any beter than that, go watch "I Love Lucy" reruns !!
Agreed. Mike Ryan obviously has a his nickers in a twist over...nothing. Perhaps Ryan secretly wishes he could find a real journalist job like he wanted, fresh outta college. Mama always told Mike he was special, so little Mikey grew up feeling entitled to writing for The New York Times, or Wall Street Journal, or even...Time magazine!!!! Sorry Mike. These publications are cutting, not adding employees. Enjoy your pseudo reporting career doing "Pop-Eater." It's obvious you have a bias against business.
Amen - Sounds like Mike Ryan (who ever heard of him????) is pis*ed that the episode wasn't about his boss and he didn't get any TV time. On second thought, he probably has the perfect face for radio or print, but needs to further educate himself before continuing the latter. Try some positive pills - negativity is too much of a downer.
The writer has too much time on his hands. Relax, it will all be okay.
Could it be that the worker were just glad to be heard for a change and seen and valued. Money isn't the answer for everything. Sometimes people just want to feel appreciated and valued for what they do on a daily basis. Plus the world just found out what it takes for their life to be better. I enjoyed the show and the premise. I thought the workers shown were shown in a good light. I would have wanted some for a friend. The writer needs to chill.
Loved the first show...Hope the rest are just like it..
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I agree with WOW on Feb.09. The cameras were explained by the filming of a show about new hires. AFTER the filming and AFTER the employees were advised as to who Larry is, I'm sure the employees had the option to not let their segment be used. If they agreed they probably had to sign a release of some kind. I bet they filmed a lot more than we saw. The show is great and I have set the DVR in case I'm not home when the show airs.
OH IT WAS FUNNY TO WATCH! Even the guy who was a jerk got taken care of because he had medical issues. I thought the president handled himself with class & professionalism to all both on the job & after he revealed who he was. We all liked the show here.
Reply
I wish my boss would watch this show
That guy wasn't a jerk. he was a hard working guy who wanted the employees who he supervised to work hard and work to high standards. Sorry if he didn't do it in a warm and cuddly fashion but most people don't. He was a hard boss but not because he was a jerk.
He conducted himself well... with the cameras rolling