CBS's New Reality Show, Undercover Boss, and An Original, Jack Coleman
The new CBS reality show, Undercover Boss brings back memories of a college President who, while on leave in 1977, took a job, not on Haverford's College's campus, but as as a garbageman or as it's termed today, a waste collector.
Coleman's background didn't presage this experiment, as People Magazine outlines his background when introducing his story: "John Royston Coleman, 55, is a Ph.D. in economics, an ex-lieutenant in the Royal Canadian Navy and a former executive of the Ford Foundation. He is also chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank."
His job-switch wasn't the only innovative decision in his career at Haverford:
"As the ’60s ended, Haverford students did express a favorable opinion of 'co-education' in the form of a student exchange with other women’s colleges. Sixteen women from Smith, Vassar and Sarah Lawrence arrived in the fall of 1969; of those, six loved the College so much they petitioned then-president Jack Coleman to let them remain after their exchange year had ended. They went on to earn bachelor’s degrees in 1972."
"These events prompted Coleman — a strong advocate of co-education — to appoint a Commission on Women, headed by Dean of Admissions Bill Ambler, to once again explore the idea; in a 50-page report, the commission concluded that the admission of women would “enhance the possibilities” of Haverford’s realizing “its educational goals.” However, the Board rejected full co-education in 1974, instead opting to strengthen Haverford’s relationship with Bryn Mawr by allowing students to live, major, and take classes at either school."
Since those events, Mr. Coleman, who admits he's rarely stayed at the same job for more than 10 years, has been an innkeeper and newspaper owner in New England.
But back to the new CBS show: "Each week a different executive will leave the comfort of their corner office for an undercover mission to examine the inner workings of their company. While working alongside their employees, they will see the effects their decisions have on others, where the problems lie within their organization and get an up-close look at both the good and the bad while discovering the unsung heroes who make their company run."
"Companies whose chief executives will make the undercover journey include such corporate giants as Waste Management (Larry O'Donnell, President and C.O.O.), 7-Eleven (Joseph M. DePinto, President and C.E.O.), White Castle (Dave Rife, Owner/Executive Board Member) and Churchill Downs (William C. Carstanjen, C.O.O.)."
"The premiere episode of Undercover Boss will follow Larry O'Donnell, the President and C.O.O. of Waste Management, as he works alongside his employees, cleaning porta-potties, sorting waste at one of their recycling plants, collecting garbage from a landfill and even being fired for the first time in his life. O'Donnell's mission is to garner an up-close look at his company and workforce to see how and where improvements can be made from both an operational and morale standpoint."
A subsequent episode is scheduled to feature Coby G. Brooks, President and CEO of Hooters. Wikipedia includes in their profile of the company, the following:
Female employees are required to sign that they "acknowledge and affirm" the following:
My job duties require I wear the designated Hooters Girl uniform.
My job duties require that I interact with and entertain the customers.
The Hooters concept is based on female sex appeal and the work environment is one in which joking and entertaining conversations are commonplace.
I do not find my job duties, uniform requirements, or work environment to be offensive, intimidating, hostile, or unwelcome.