Think your job is bad? Imagine painting tiny watch dials with a glow-in-the-dark paint so toxic it makes your bones disintegrate—and being told it’s perfectly safe.

In this episode, we’re diving into one of the most horrifying workplace scandals in history: the Radium Girls. These young women spent their days carefully applying radioactive paint, unknowingly poisoning themselves with every brushstroke. Their bosses? They knew the risks—and let it happen anyway.

From gruesome medical horrors like radium jaw (yes, their faces literally fell apart) to the jaw-dropping corporate cover-up that followed, we’re uncovering the brutal truth behind the so-called “miracle element” that turned deadly. And when the women fought back? They changed labor laws forever.

Join us as we explore the eerie glow, the terrifying symptoms, and the workers who refused to go down without a fight. After this, your worst day at work will feel like a dream.

If you enjoy the show, follow and rate us five stars, and tell a friend—it’s the best way to support History’s Worst Paychecks and help us keep uncovering the most miserable jobs in history!

Think your job is bad? Imagine spending your days carving tomb walls, hauling multi-ton blocks of limestone under the burning desert sun, and getting paid in nothing but bread and beer—all while knowing that if something went wrong, you might end up sealed inside the tomb forever.

In this episode, we’re heading to ancient Egypt to uncover the brutal realities of the Royal Tomb Builders—the laborers who constructed the pyramids, carved intricate hieroglyphs, and worked themselves to the bone to ensure the pharaoh had a smooth ride into the afterlife. From deadly workplace hazards and meager pay to the eerie tomb curses that still haunt history, we’ll explore what life was really like for the men who built Egypt’s greatest wonders.

Join us as we dig into the backbreaking work, the horrifying accidents, and the workers who dared to strike against their divine rulers. After this, your worst day at the office will feel like a breeze.

If you enjoy the show, follow and rate us five stars, and tell a friend—it’s the best way to support History’s Worst Paychecks and help us keep uncovering the most miserable jobs in history!

Think your job is bad? Imagine being six years old and forced up a soot-filled chimney in Victorian London—with no clothes, no safety gear, and no guarantee you'll make it out alive.

In this episode, we're diving into one of history's cruelest professions: child chimney sweeps. From harrowing accidents and shocking exploitation to absurdly low pay, discover the heartbreaking realities behind the fireplaces of the rich.

Join us as we explore why this grim occupation existed, how society finally ended it, and the horrifying true stories that led to meaningful change. Trust us—your worst day at work will suddenly seem like a vacation.

If you enjoy the show, follow and rate us five stars, and tell a friend - it's the best way to support History's Worse Paychecks and ensure we can bring you more episodes!