The show Undercover Boss premiered on CBS in February 2010 and has since aired in various countries around the world. The premise of the show is to give high-level executives a chance to see their company from a different perspective and gain insight into their employees and the challenges they face.
Each episode follows a different CEO or high-level executive as they go undercover in their own company for a week. The executives are disguised with makeup and prosthetics to prevent their employees from recognizing them. They take on various roles in the company, from entry-level positions to more complex jobs, depending on the type of company and the goals of the episode.
Throughout the week, the executives live and work alongside their employees, learning about their daily tasks, dealing with the challenges they face, and listening to their stories. They also get a firsthand look at the strengths and weaknesses of their company, uncovering issues they may not have been aware of before. At the end of the week, the executive reveals his or her true identity and rewards hardworking employees with promotions, bonuses, and other incentives.
The show has been praised for shedding light on the struggles of low-wage workers and highlighting the importance of treating employees with respect and dignity. It has also faced criticism for being a PR stunt for companies and promoting a "savior complex" mentality among executives.
Despite some controversy, Undercover Boss has been a popular show with viewers and has spawned numerous spinoffs, including Undercover Boss: Celebrity Edition and Undercover Boss: Beyond the Boardroom.