Workplace horror stories are nothing new—history is filled with bosses whose greed, cruelty, and disregard for human life led to some of the darkest chapters in labor history. In this episode of Bad Boss Detox, we take a sobering look at four of the worst offenders, whose actions sparked protests, strikes, and, in some cases, tragic loss of life.
The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire—where locked doors and unsafe conditions caused an unbelievable tragedy. Then they tried it again.
Henry Clay Frick—the ruthless steel magnate who crushed strikes with deadly force.
George Pullman—the railroad tycoon who built a town to control his workers, then bled them dry.
The Match Girl s' Rebellion—where young women stood up to the factory that poisoned them for profit.
These aren’t just bad bosses; they’re reminders of why labor protections exist today. Join us as we examine their stories, the lives affected, and the workers who fought back against impossible odds.
TRIGGER WARNINGS:
Isaac Harris & Max Blanck: The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory
death, tragic fire
Henry Clay Frick: The Homestead Steel Strike
gun violence
George Pullman: Pullman, Illinois
slavery, dehumanization of workers, high control group
William Bryant & Francis May: The Match Girls' Rebellion
child abuse, neglect, illness, cancer
Looking Back: The Gilded Age Sucked
Email MadLibs
Listener Story Time!
Vocabulary Word of the Week
