Waste Management CEO is the First Undercover Boss

CBS has finally aired their newest, and what they hope to be next big, reality show called Undercover Boss. It's a simple concept but could change a huge company in the long run. Take a high up boss/manager/CEO and stick them into the actual working world. First up was Larry O'Donnell, the president and COO of Waste Management. Larry would change his name and go undercover as Randy and those he worked with were told that he was being filmed for a documentary about entry level jobs in the company. Many had no clue who he was and in the end his adventure into the working world changed the way he thinks and operates Waste Management.

Larry's first task was to separate paper, garbage and cardboard at a site. There his boss for the day taught him the ropes which he soon found out where harder then they seemed. He ended up missing large piece of cardboard which in return jammed the equipment. He knew how much that equipment cost and realized how difficult the picking actually was. During lunch he learned an important piece of information. At the site that he was working if someone punches in even a minute late, they are docked two minutes pay. He disagreed heavily with that rule and would confront the sites manager after the big reveal.

Next up Larry had to pick up paper along a hill. It seems like an easy job but it would result in Larry being fired for the first time in his life. He couldn't pick up the paper faster then a man who is on dialysis and was also his boss. It was shocking to learn he had to go through this treatment and it showed that people love what they do at the company and continue to work there simply because they love it. Larry's lesson here was that his workers who can inspire others should have time to become motivational speakers and this was a theme of Larry's adventure.

Next up Larry met with a young woman who did office work at one of the plants. Although he believed his downsizing ideas were working, Larry soon found the opposite was the case. The woman was doing the job of at least five other people yet did not receive an increase in pay. She also invited him home for dinner where he learned her house was up for sale and she had to provide for three families, all while battling cancer and other medical issues. This was one of the bigger lessons throughout the show and one in which Larry broke cover. He talked to her boss and the two agreed to provide for Jacklyn and he did just that later on.

The next job was cleaning porta-potties and there Larry found a very enthusiastic worker who loved cleaning toilets. He didn't understand how someone could love the job he did so much but by making it fun and humorous it was obvious that he loved his job. Last but not least Larry rode with a female truck driver as she went on her route to pick up garbage. She bashed the CEOs of the company and Larry learned that his personal rules on productivity were in return hurting his employees in return. She had little time to interact with their customers and often felt watched. She even had to pee in a coffee can for Christ's sake! That was an eye awakening to everyone I believe and now she's helping Larry create a more female friendly work environment.

In the end Larry revealed his true identity to all those he worked with. The biggest change that the show created was helping out the overworked office manager. She was given a salary, promoted to a supervisor and was asked to hire two employees, who would be under her, to help in doing her job. Larry also promised to create a more friendly environment and promoted several of the people he met into helping him achieve the better company he now envisions. I don't exactly know how well Undercover Boss will do for CBS considering it's not a competition show like they are known for. We'll have to wait and see, leave a comment and let us know what you thought. Next weeks looks interesting as the CEO of Hooters goes Undercover and learns a few shocking things that will surely change your opinion, and his, of the Hooters franchise.