Thursday 20 September 2012

Undercover Boss.

Imagine this situation.  There you are, slugging away at work.  Slugging as in working hard and nothing to do with slimy critters or brawling with fellow workers.

You resent the lack of recognition for all your efforts on your minimum wage, high demand, stressful job.  I mean, really, you would think that just once, your photo would be proudly displayed above the pop machine as, "Employee of the Month".  After all, you take great pride in slapping together the best darned 'Big Crap' burger, complete with the secret sauce, at this fine eating establishment.  Yet, every month, you go unnoticed and the supervisor's lazy son always seems to be Employee of the Month.  Yep, a photo of his smirking face seems to be a permanent fixture above the pop machine.

Aha, what's this?  A television crew has descended upon the restaurant.  You've seen all those shows where television crews come into places to do 'documentaries'.  All those times when somebody made out they were doing a documentary about getting some work experience.  And all those times the person getting work experience was actually the boss of the company, posing as an old unemployed, down on their luck, man or woman.

The supervisor comes over to you.  "Hey you!  What's the name on your tag?  Hey Ernie, this is a television documentary crew and this old unemployed guy, down on his luck, is trying to get some work experience. He wants to see how tough it can be to get a job these days.  I want you to train him."

"Hi, my name's Fred", states the guy who is featuring in the documentary.  You think to yourself, 'Result!  It's the boss of the company pretending to need some work experience.  I'm gonna' show him just how good I am.  I shall then be rewarded at a meeting back at headquarters.  Yes, 'Fred' will heap praise on me, give me a huge bonus, a brand new job, buy me a fancy car and send me and my impoverished family on a luxury cruise around the world!'

So you show Fred how things work in the restaurant.  You are polite, pleasant and patient.  You demonstrate the fine art form of creating the very best 'Big Crap' burger, complete with the secret sauce.  Fred is useless and makes loads of mistakes.  This is overwhelming proof to you that he must be the boss.

The day comes to an end.  The camera crew pack up their gear.  You shake Fred's hand.  "Thanks for that", he states.  "It was most enlightening and I hope it will be of benefit to the viewers of the documentary."   "Okay", you state with a wink and a smile.  "Um Fred, I look forward to be taken to a mystery meeting at headquarters in the very near future!"   "What are you talking about?", responded Fred.  "This was a documentary called, "Old Folks and Finding Work".  I'm just an old unemployed, down on my luck, kinda' guy."

Still not believing him, you wait, week after week, month after month, for that 'meeting' that praises you for all you do.  It never happens.  Suddenly, you rush over to the tub of secret sauce and cover the supervisor and his smirking son, with the entire contents.

A few days later and now jobless, you notice that the documentary you were in is on TV.  On the screen, 'Fred' announces that due to unforeseen circumstances, the guy who was training him was not getting rewarded.  Instead, you see on the screen, the supervisor and his smirking son, being praised and rewarded for a job well done.

73 comments:

  1. That just ain't fair! That jobless guy should take himself down to the nearest gun shop and buy a big whacking 6 shooter. Oh, right, that's probably not a good idea. Going postal never solved anything. But still there must be some kind of revenge available. It just ain't fair~!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Joylene,
      All will be okay. The guy who got fired, Ernie, becomes super famous from appearing on the 'documentary' and ends up being in a movie and writing a book on his life and how to make the bestest ever 'Crap Burger', complete with the secret sauce.

      Delete
    2. Hey Joylene,
      And a great way for me to do a follow on posting about Ernie, champion of the downtrodden :)

      Delete
  2. They did a show here with the CEO of Waste Management going undercover working on various jobs and later making changes to help the workers. I asked our garbage man how things worked out after the show ended. He said they fired the CEO!

    true story

    ray

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    Replies
    1. Hey Ray,
      I think I saw the episode you mentioned on, "Undercover Boss USA". Yes, we are subjected to your shows. Seems like the CEO was a 'waste' of time....

      Delete
    2. Oh, Gary! That one even made ME groan!

      Delete
    3. Yikes Susan! I'm quite proud of that accomplishment! :)

      Delete
  3. It does seem like the kiss-ups are usually the ones who get ahead. I'm glad when I worked at Burger King they never had an Employee of the Month thing. Or if they did they were too lazy to ever administer it. But a couple times I did get a free meal when my drawer was exactly right at the end of the day.

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    Replies
    1. Hey PT,
      Yes, the brown nosers and the guy who just happens to be related to the boss. I can see your proud, smiling face not only being seen on the Employee of the Month award, that they hid when you were working, but heck, I could see your proud, smiling face on billboards all over America. Okay, maybe Detroit...
      I hope that free meal wasn't one of those they take back out of the garbage can.

      Delete
  4. TRUE STORY HERE: My boss, the Fire Chief, knew nothing about fighting fires or equipment. We had a huge oil spill and used up all our "booms" soaking up the oil. (they are called booms. Don't ask me why. But all firefighters are familiar with them) I went into the chief's office and said "WE NEED MORE BOOMS!" He accused me of being a smart-ass and thought I was talking about wanting to have an explosion instead of an oil spill.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey lotta joy,
      Like the way you use CAPITAL LETTERS for dramatic impact. Boom, boom, your boss seemed to be a great example of reaching his very finest level of incompetence. I used to lumberjack on a log 'boom'. And no, have no idea why it's called a boom!
      Take care and your burger is ready :)

      Delete
  5. That sort of thing happens here quite often, but it's not a good thing at all.

    Yvonne.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Yvonne,
      It happens everywhere. It seems to be a matter of having ones face fit. So much for being recognised for a job well done.
      Have a good weekend.
      Gary

      Delete
  6. Hello Gary:
    Well, this proves it, there just aint no justice!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Jane and Lance,
      Loving your use of poor grammar. Aint no justice, indeed!
      Have a peaceful weekend.
      Gary

      Delete
  7. While I was working I knew this as 'Suck skills for success'. Promotion and/or reward tended to be based on how much sucking up to senior officers was done, rather than any commitment to the job. Wrong on so many levels. And then these people got promoted to a position above their competence. Did they suffer? No, the people below them did. Hiss and spit.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi The Elephant's Child,
      A very good way of putting it. Right up there with it's not what you know, but who you blow. And then you have to suffer because of their incompetence as they get praised for all they do. Actually, they can have a tendency for taking the credit for your good work. Hiss and spit, indeed!

      Delete
  8. Gary! You never cease to amaze me with your wit. I chuckled especially at the end. I kept hearing the music from the shower scene in Psycho. Hope the guy gets a better job next time. Hugs!!

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    Replies
    1. Hi Heather,
      Glad you got a chuckle out of this. Oh yeah, this posting has all the making of a to be continued angle. The little guy will prevail. Hugs to you :)
      Gary

      Delete
  9. Seems to be the way it goes too often x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Teresa,
      I think a lot of us can relate to this.
      Have a lovely weekend.
      Gary x

      Delete
  10. I for one applaud Ernie and hope he finds fame and fortune even in notoriety! take care
    x

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    Replies
    1. Hi Old Kitty,
      Oh yeah, Ernie, he 'da' man! Ernie will come good out of all of this :)
      May you and Charlie have a lovely weekend.
      Gary
      x

      Delete
  11. I liked your answer to Joylene - he gets famous after being in the video. Boss and son are killed in a mysterious dishwasher accident. Happily ever after!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Alex,
      Thanks and yes, quite conveniently ended in such a way there could be a follow on story of Ernie, the people's hero.
      I'm loving your mysterious dishwasher accident scenario!

      Delete
  12. that seems to be the way of things the unhelpful lazy employees always get the credit and the hard works seem to be overlooked. sorry this happen to a good guy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi becca,
      It does seem to be the way that often the really good worker has to end up covering for the bad worker. And the bad worker gets praise for work they haven't even done.
      Take care,
      Gary

      Delete
  13. So the supervisor and smirking son are under the influence of the sauce? Pickled by their own product? Hopefully filmed by the restaurant camera and used to show future employees the necessity of proper disposal? How tragic! Boo-hoo.
    Then "Ernie" stars his own television remake of "My Three Sons"? (Maybe not... how old is Ernie?)
    Write the book, Gary!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Dixie,
      Under the influence and under the secret sauce. Talk about a cover up. It was all captured on film. And the out takes will become public knowledge. Ernie will become a modern day Ernie Douglas and I shall star in the father role made famous by Fred MacMurray :)
      My book titled, 'My Previous Book' is available on 'eek-Publishing' :)
      Have a lovely weekend in Charlotte. As in the city of Charlotte.
      In kindness, Gary

      Delete
  14. Depressing and yet totally believable. This is how the world works.

    I hope that your reply to Joylene is what really happens in the story. There is justice in the world, after all! Yay!

    Jai

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Jai,
      Sadly, despite it being rather surreal, it does show how the world of work, or lack of actually working, works.
      A follow up story when the good guy gets noticed, is in the um works.
      Have a lovely weekend, Jai.
      Gary

      Delete
    2. Oh good! Looking forward to it.

      Jai

      Delete
    3. Hey Jai,
      You are way too kind :) Your cheque's in the post.
      Gary

      Delete
  15. The are lots of disgusting people out there...I've had my share of ass.oles while working at the newspaper...I suppose that's one of the reasons why I freelance. Kisses Gary.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Petronela,
      Oh don't we both know it. I totally understand your choice to freelance. Kisses and happy freelancing, to you, Gary :)

      Delete
  16. Sounds like another slice from the great crap burger of life.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Delores,
      Aha, Crap Burger, complete with the secret sauce. Hold the pickles....
      Gary :)

      Delete
  17. Been there, done it, in another life when I was employed! It is so maddening that 'certain' people always will get the better half of life, makes you wonder if it's all worth it sometimes!
    In peace,
    J
    Follow me at HEDGELAND TALES

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi John,
      It can be bloody disillusioning. I know from my own experiences, just how hard I worked and how the bullying face-fits' got away with BS and were praised by an indifferent management that just didn't want to know.
      In peace and hope, my friend.
      Gary

      Delete
  18. OMG you are too funny! I actually used to really like that show...I say "used to" after reading this lol

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    Replies
    1. Hi Caren,
      Oh no and oops! :) Thanks for reminding me, next could be an article on the "Secret Millionaire"! :)
      Have a peaceful weekend, my friend.
      Gary

      Delete
  19. Gary you should write a sitcom! And if this tale is based on true events, so much the better....
    Click here for Bazza’s Blog ‘To Discover Ice’

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi bazza,
      Would make for quite the spoof sitcom. Somewhat worryingly, some of it is dangerously close to a truth in my own life.
      Take care.
      Gary

      Delete
  20. Gary, I just love how you write!!! And I agree with Bazza, you need to write a sitcom. As for what you wrote, I've worked in places like this and you know, I'm sooooooo happy that they are still working there and I'm in a much better place. My life is much more rich and fulfilling now!!!! Yippi!!!!!
    Thanks for your wonderful words!!! Suzanne

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Suzanne,
      That's very kind of you. I'm very flattered by that. It would make for a sitcom a lot of people would certainly relate to. And judging by your response and some other replies, it seems a lot of us were relieved to get out of 'office politics' and start living our lives in our own way.
      I'm really glad that your life is now rich and fulfilling. Darned right!
      Thanks Suzanne and please keep embracing those positive thoughts.
      In kindness, Gary :)

      Delete
    2. Hi Gary:
      Thanks for your lovely comment on my blog. I truly appreciate your kind words and support. I will definitely let you know when the book is ready.
      Enjoy this beautiful day!!!
      Suzanne

      Delete
    3. Hi Suzanne,
      You are very welcome for that comment on your posting. It's heartening when we are all here for each other, encouraging each other. Indeed, please let me know when your book is ready. I'm very excited for you.
      All the best to you in beautiful Victoria, which has been considered, "More English than England"....
      Gary

      Delete
  21. Dear Gary,
    So, the dark spectre of nepotism hangs over this little story. I know it's all made up, but as you said to bazza, it perhaps comes dangerously close to the truth for you and maybe others.
    Now I'm actually trying to get work, I can only hope that I don't end up in such a place!
    Very Best Wishes, your way,
    David.

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    Replies
    1. Dear David,
      Ah yes, the good old nepotism angle. A bit of nudge, nudge, wink, wink. And I have experienced elements of this surreal story in my working life. I know quite a few can relate.
      Not exactly an inspiring tale. Oops. However, I'm hoping all bodes well for you and you are recognised for your notable efforts. I'm already seeing your grinning photo proudly displayed over the pop machine as "Employee of the Month".
      Cheers to you and happy work search.
      Gary

      Delete
  22. Gary, if one is such full of negativity, no wonder the guy ended up jobless. I may even think that smirk of supervisors' son might have even been a smile.
    Cheers.
    Aliza.

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    Replies
    1. Hey Aliza,
      All Ernie wanted was a bit of acknowledgement. Although, dumping secret sauce on the supervisor and his son, wasn't a great idea. Hope you have had a lovely weekend :)
      Gary

      Delete
  23. Hi Gary .. this just might work - let me know please! Gosh .. what a tale in this day and age - if you gotta job keep it at all costs. If there's a job to be done - it's worth doing it well .. for one's own sanity, let alone all the other people around, who could do with some extra smiles and consideration ..

    Great post - reminding us of many things of life .. cheers Hilary

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    Replies
    1. Hi Hilary,
      Yay, it worked! And in these days of what seems to be increased mind games in the work environment, this is perhaps a tale of how some, no matter what they do, always seem to lack the recognition they merit. And the lazy 'face fits' get all the plaudits.
      Thanks Hilary.
      Gary

      Delete
  24. Ha! this was funny, entertaining and a piece I can relate to on a whole other perspective, with what is going on in my life. Most want acknowledgement to some degree, I guess going about how to get it can make a difference on the outcome of the circumstance. There is certainly a message in this post for me.

    Thanks Gary!

    I'm still trying to keep smiling:)

    Madison

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Madison,
      I had a few elements of my own working life loosely fit into this surreal situation. Instead of acknowledgement for all I did, instead I got bullied and those who bullied got the credit for my work. There is indeed, my friend, an underlying message in this that can be interpreted in so many ways.
      Thank you, Madison. You keep smiling, even through gritted teeth! :)
      Gary

      Delete
  25. There's a few ex-bosses I wouldn't mind chucking in a vat of secret sauce, actually. This read just like a Choose Your Own Adventure story. I would probably have chosen the same ending myself. :D Always seems to be who you know, or who has the "right" hair cut...

    Good one, Gary. :) Take care.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi CarrieBoo,
      I think we could line up a few ex-bosses and the lazy do nothing who takes on the credit for your hard work. I was debating several endings to this one. The way I ended it can make for a sequel. I just love to bore you with one of my sequel stories :)
      Thanks and take care, eh. Couldn't resist using eh, eh! :)
      Gary

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  26. Life is never fair, and a camera crew is never near when you need one. Poor Fred. I bet he is also the one who has to slog out the loo.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Susan,
      Life is never fair. Unless you might be related to the supervisor or the boss. And Ernie should of been even more convinced it really was the boss of the restaurant when he had to demonstrate several times, how to clean out the can! :)
      Thanks Susan.
      Gary

      Delete
  27. Ah, this is one reason why I've worked for myself for the last 15 years and why I could never go back into the regular workforce. There are some good things about being an independent contractor.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Nancy,
      Exactly! I totally agree and I could never work in a regular workforce when I think of all the crap I endured. Here's to independence and being your own boss.
      Thank you, Nancy.
      Gary

      Delete
  28. Sounds about right. You're story or episode, I mean. I never could understand how a show like that could work but you're likely describing a normal scenario for that type of (un)reality program.

    Undercover boss- what a crock of fabricated shit! Is that in your country, too, like ours... like a disease? Well, hell, I guess it is or you wouldn't be doing a parody or a likely non-fictional story about one of it's episodes.

    People, when they have a movie camera trained on them for their reactions, either scripted or mostly scripted, will act the way they think they should act for some kind of expected pay off. The whole concept is absurd and shows just how out of touch one of those "undercover bosses" really are.

    In short, the unreality show and Fred the boss are both typical turds on the boob tube these days. They serve as another example of a society that is gullible and easily entertained.

    Now excuse me please... I have to go watch a squirrel play with his nuts.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Kelly,
      Totally agree with you. Undercover Boss UK style, Secret Millionaire UK style, crocks of fabricated scripted shit. I mean if I was working somewhere and a 'documentary' crew came in, I'd be thinking it was time to ham it up for the cameras and maybe get loads of fortune and even more fame than I um, already have.
      These trash shows are cheap television. Which reminds me, I do hope you shall be on that must see television 'reality' show, 'Blogger's Got Talent'!

      And excuse me, I've got to go on 'BoobTube' and check out the guy setting fire to his farts...
      Thank you, Kelly.
      Gary

      Delete
  29. It does make me appreciate being self employed. :) Thanks so much for visiting my blog today. I appreciate your thoughts!

    Have a great week!

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    Replies
    1. Hi Karen,
      Absolutely. Self employed is good. That's why in my living room, 'The Employee of the Month', is a photo of me, every month. Yes, I employed myself :)
      It was my delight to visit your blog, Karen and thank you kindly for linking into mine.
      In peace, Gary.

      Delete
  30. Hi, what a story, but we all know it is happening quite often.
    The best way is to stay positive, even sometimes it can be quite hard.

    Have a lovely week.

    Dusana :-)

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    Replies
    1. Hi Dusana,
      Ah yes, some story and despite the surreality, there are grains of truth.
      As you might know, from my positive interaction over at your site and positive affirmations back to you, that the ethos of my blog has always been living life with realistic positive anticipation, rather than negative speculation. Not always easy, but the alternative is a place I do not want to visit.
      You take very good care of yourself, Dusana.
      In peace and hope, Gary :)

      Delete
  31. Before I left my job at the hospital, I had to train my replacement... a self-important, mealy-mouthed, egg-sucking, bald-faced lying kiss-up. He thrived at the job for many years, too, not because he was competent and intelligent, but because he was such an expert at kissing the doctors' hind quarters. BOY, and I ever glad to be out of that world. Your story is funny and well-told, but that sort of thing happens all too frequently in the real world. (I really liked the part where Ernie "knew" it was the big boss because he made so many mistakes. HA!) Great job.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Susan,
      I sense your frustration. It's unbelievable that those who can suck up, have the 'gift of the gab', can seem to get on so well and be successful at being incompetent. I know I'm glad to have distanced myself from the 'office politics'.
      And Ernie had overwhelming proof that it must be the undercover boss. I remember a boss who didn't have a clue how things worked in his own company.
      Thank you, Susan and happy pooling :)
      Gary

      Delete
  32. Oh, crap burgers! You've summed up reality TV for me, Gary. (And a look at life!)

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    Replies
    1. Hi Samantha,
      Lovely to see you :) Ah yes, 'reality' TV. If you see a camera crew coming to do a 'documentary', smile and offer them a crap burger! :)
      Gary

      Delete
  33. I have similar resentments when I'm busting a gut processing customers and three supervisors are standing nearby chatting.
    In my mind I'm an undercover owner and when my shift is over I'm going to fire those three for not pitching in and helping.

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    Replies
    1. Hi River,
      In a fantasy world, those three supervisors would stop chatting and start helping. Then I woke up...
      Hey, maybe you could get somebody to come in and pretend to be the undercover owner and scare the hell out of them. Perhaps to the point they might actually help out.
      Take care, Gary :)

      Delete

I do try to comment back to each commenter individually. However, I might have to shorten my replies or give a group thank you. That way, I can spend more time commenting on your blogs. Thank you and peace, my friend.