Let's share the worst things we've had to endure as employees. I'll go first:
Teenage, food service, pizza. The AC breaks in the middle of a California summer, easily 110°f outside, 115°f inside the store (verified), with 500°f open-ended ovens running nonstop. Then the makeline which holds ingredients breaks. The cheese melts into clumps. We stay open, business as usual. Also, no breaks, ever. Pay: $8.50/hr.
Adult, teaching, high school. No in-class heat for four years. School provides one basic 11" fan heater used to warm small bedrooms. My class ceilings are at least 12ft with tons of windows. I developed a routine of showing up an hour early, turning on the collection of heaters I'd acquired (including several from home), and get the room up to a sweltering 62°f by first period. I also figured out which electrical items can be plugged into which outlets and how to reset the fuse panel on a moments notice. I have photos of my students huddled around an oil-radiator with their hands out, eager for even a semblance of heat.
Your turn:
I got another one! From a student of mine.
He is/was an undocumented central american high schooler, great kid, always smiling, always eager. he gets a job at a banquet hall, making $10/hr under the table. He goes into work at 4pm Friday, works until 2am Saturday morning. Goes back into work at 10am Saturday, works until 2am Sunday. Goes back into work 10am Sunday, works until 2am Monday. Comes to school 8am Monday beaming with pride because he made $380 over the weekend :capitalist-laugh:
I mean that's 20k per year and no taxes. Not a living wage, but it probably helps his family a lot. Sucks to know that capitalism would gladly bring back child labor if they could abolish (or skirt) the regulations, but important to remember.