How mean can you get?

When I was between "proper" jobs, not that long ago, one boss used to switch the fridge off each night!

So of course, one morning the milk was off. I volunteered to go to get some, but was told "we're not supposed to leave the office unless we're on our break"

This man also had staff working in a building that had only been signed off as a storage unit, with the only facility for washing up being the hand basin in the toilet, which incidentally opened straight into the "office" area!

You have a point Jane. My pay in 1963 was 15 shillings for a 4 hour Saturday job.
I thought it was riches as I could spend it on myself apart from bus fares.

I'm not sure that 5/- per hour was stingy.
That's equivalent to 200 shillings for a full-time, 40 hour week.
200 shillings = £10.
£10 a week was good pay in the 60's.
I got £3 a week working full time in Boots in the school holidays in 1967.

Stinginess is one thing and I find your employer very stingy on the scale of meanies but my story is rather shocking. My mum was widowed and stuck in looking after us kids night after night. One day she was invited to a dance in the village hall. She really wanted to go but couldn't find a babysitter. A neighbour who was also invited, knocked on our door. She asked if, as mum couldn't go to the dance, could she look after her kids as well!!

that takes some beating !