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Best TV Show of the Week
Undercover Boss on CBS
By Ally Matteodo
Undercover Boss
continues to reveal itself as an inspiring and life-changing program, and a
consistent choice for the Best TV Show of the Week. On the
upcoming episode this Sunday, January 30 (8:00 p.m. ET), Kim Schaefer, CEO of
Great Wolf Lodge (the largest chain of indoor water park resorts in North
America), poses as Chris Miller, a stay-at-home mom who is reentering the work
force. Schaefer comes from a working-class background herself, and describes
how her mom gave birth to her at nineteen, and that both of her parents were
always working. Family vacations were rare, and Schaefer entered the work force
as soon as she could, climbed the ladder at Great Wolf Lodge, and eventually
worked her way up to the highest position at the company. During her undercover
activity, Kim works in four different positions at three different locations.
First, Schaefer works with Bree, helping children at the Cub Club at the
Grapevine, Texas site. Next, she undertakes a day of working the front desk of
guest services with Jackie at the Grand Mound, Washington site. Schaefer
returns to Grapevine, Texas when she trains under aquatics supervisor Kelly.
Finally, she finishes up waitressing with Deanna at the Mason, Ohio resort.
Several positive
developments occurred after Schaefer ended her undercover operation. First, she
relayed her policy and procedures findings to her board of directors – findings
that will help improve Great Wolf Lodge. During her time at the front desk with
Jackie she realized that the wait for guests to check in was much too long. She
also commented on the working conditions at the Grapevine, Texas location. It’s
84 degrees at the water park, which is great for the guests, but the workers
need more opportunities to rehydrate and rest so they can come back to their
positions refreshed. More importantly, Schaefer found a new regard for the
Great Wolf Lodge company ethos, “Make time for your family.” Before her secret
mission, this primarily applied to the guests of the recreational getaway, but
now Schaefer implemented this directive toward her employees. On the newly
created Wolf-Pack family days, employees may bring their families to the resorts
free of charge. Furthermore, Schaefer made a positive difference in the lives
of everyone she worked with; for Kelly, she offered to pay for flight school;
for Jackie, she offered to pay for her knee surgery with paid time off, and a
permanent shift-change to daytime work; for Bree, she offered to pay for her
daughter’s college; and finally, for Deanna, she offered to pay for her to stay
at home for six months with her newborn son. When Schaefer bestowed these
precious gifts upon her hard-working employees, the relief and joy on their
faces was evident. This series promotes compassionate, involved CEOs who take
action for their workers. It also proves you never should judge anyone until
you have walked a day in their shoes; their job could be far more taxing then
you realize.
Parents Television Council,
www.parentstv.org, PTC,
Clean Up TV Now, Because our children are watching, The
nation's most influential advocacy organization, Protecting
children against sex, violence and profanity in
entertainment, Parents Television Council Seal of Approval,
and Family Guide to Prime Time Television
are trademarks of the Parents Television Council.
