Think you have tough working conditions?
Check out this poster advertising for police in London in 1839. Along with making just pennies a week, constables in those days worked 12 hour shifts 7 days a week, were not allowed to sit down and have a cut of coffee, and were expected to be prepared to be assaulted, stoned and stabbed during a shift. In addition there were no meal breaks (but their hat could be used to hold snacks). They got one week off per year, and they were forbidden to vote in any elections.