New Reality Show, Undercover Boss, Reveals "Virtue of hard work and moral strength" as Well as CEOs' Compassion

Aimee Herd : Apr 2, 2010
Dani Nichols – Everyday Christian

"Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before unknown men." –Prov. 22:29

You name it these days, it seems there's a TV reality show about it. However, one recent addition to the reality show family has actually served to highlight many hard workers, who maintain positive attitudes, while struggling to stay ahead of bills and care for their families. (Photo: Head of White Castle goes undercover/CBS)

Undercover Boss is CBS's latest contribution to the reality world and has been a unique look at the heart of the person behind the top-dog title at various companies ranging from amusement park bosses to those at the helm of restaurant chains and plumbing services.

The idea is the head of a large corporation poses as an entry-level employee in their own company for one week, to gain an unfiltered insight into what it's like to work there, and what changes could benefit both the workers and the corporation.

So far, the CEO's who have gone "undercover" are visibly moved, and have shown great empathy and compassion for the "fellow workers" they meet. As each week's episode draws to a close, the boss reveals his true identity to a handful of the employees he has worked with throughout the week. Many times, action has been taken to positively affect the workers' lives—a raise, promotion, adding needed programs such as daycare, or just stepping in with funds and physical labor to help that employee over a rough patch.

Dani Nichols, writing for Everyday Christian, notes, "The great thing about Undercover Boss is that it gives hope for the underdog and those who strive for the American Dream. Even though many today believe that the American Dream is unattainable, Undercover Boss shows us how delivery boys and dock workers worked their way into CEO positions, and are now striving to make their companies places of growth for the next generation of hopefuls. It shows us the value of a hard day's work in an era of entitlement, and it brings tears to our eyes as we see everyday people get incredibly rewarded because they did their work honorably in front of a nobody new hire—someone who turned out to be the one person who could change their life for the better."

Undercover Boss airs on Sunday evenings on CBS, full episodes can be watched at the show's website.