Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
No fees, cancel anytime.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
26submissions
Finished
26 Of The Most Absurd Complaints To HR That They Didn’t Know How To React To
Article created by: Shelly Fourer
When you have a serious concern at work, like an inappropriate comment or unfair treatment, it’s natural to bring it up with your manager or HR. After all, that’s what they’re there for. But every now and then, people take complaints to a whole new level by reporting the most random, absurd things imaginable.
Today, we’ve compiled some of the most bizarre employee complaints shared on Reddit, and they’re nothing short of hilarious. From someone being “too honest” to typing “too fast,” these grievances are so ridiculous that you’ll wonder how HR kept a straight face.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Not the most ridiculous but one of my favs..
I had an employee try and fight her attendance point for being tardy because "she got lost in the beauty of the day and forgot to exit off the highway. I shouldn't penalize someone for admiring God's creation.".
RELATED:
#2
Had a manager pull me aside because I didn't talk about myself and no one really knew anything about me after working with me for 2 years. All they knew was that I lived in the area and per my manager "it's off-putting that you only want to talk about work"
A year later, that same manager pulled me aside and told me that I needed to keep things solely on a professional level and that I either shouldn't bring up my non-work life or I should lie so I would "fit in better and stop being so depressing to work around"
I was in a very different tax bracket than everyone else, so while their normal weekends were going to NYC in order to party or spending their weekend on a parent's yacht, my normal weekends were hand washing my laundry in my bathtub and working gig work or seasonal work so I'd have enough to afford groceries.
#3
In my first month at a new company an employee told me his title and pay were listed incorrectly and he had actually gotten a promotion 6 months back. Somehow the paperwork was missing from his file. I spoke with the entire leadership team and no, he was definitely not promoted—he was trying to pull a fast one on the new HR manager and has tried before.
#4
Before I was in HR, I was a team lead at a large retail store. An employee came to me with a complaint:
Another team member was friending people on FB but wouldn’t friend him. He wanted me to tell her she had to be FB friends with him, or with no one.
#5
Got called "intimidating" asked what I had done to be accused of that.
It was the horrible crime of being tall.
#6
Had several employees come in to report a hurt goose in the parking lot. I suggested that they call animal control, and they got salty that I didn't jump up and run outside.
They didn't understand why it wasn't HR's job to trap and give medical care to wild animals.
carelantz: I had an employee come tell me "Come quick! I need your help!!" I come running out to the parking lot and she's looking under and around cars. I ask what we are looking for and she says........"an angry racoon!" Middle of the day and she thought I needed to save a rabid racoon!!!
steal_the_beauty: This reminds me of the time the department of health showed up because someone complained that there was too much goose poop outside of the building.
Because we can control where the geese poop? (Geese are little assholes...they probably poop in inconvenient places in purpose anyway)
#8
I do construction and maintenance. And we installed all new LED lights and my coworker told me his light was emitting so much heat that he was going to have a heat stroke.
I told him over the weekend we swapped out the light but we didn’t and the following week he said thank you so much that he could tell a major difference.
#9
My supervisor pulled me aside one time, apologized to me for what he was about to say. He proceeded to tell me that my wall mate (low cubicle walls) complained to him that I “meow”. Um, yes, I am a cat lover but I do NOT meow.
What this nit was actually hearing was me saying “OW” when I moved the wrong way and aggravated my newly torn ligament in my shoulder.
Had a coworker complain that I “drank too much water”. Had to explain to HR that I have neuropathy and I’m usually always dehydrated.
#10
In the break room, one woman was showing her co-workers the dating profile of a guy she had been talking to online. Guy happened to be the husband of one of the co-workers she was showing. The supervisor came to me panicked & didn't find me very helpful when I informed him this was not a work issue & they just need to keep it out the workplace.
#11
I had a (male) boss tell my department (full of ladies) that we needed to look more pleasant while we were working. As designers, we’re on computers drawing all day trying to concentrate. Sorry that we’re not smiling and trying to be pleasant-looking for you while we’re deep in thought.
#13
I had a female employee complain that another female employee dressed too provocatively and made her feel uncomfortable. In reality, they both dressed about the same but they didn’t like each other.
#14
"why'd you park in my parking spot I've been parking there for 17 years" followed by " it must be a gen z thing to not think about things like that". Mind you we have a single row for parking and no assigned spots lol.
#15
A coworker complained to HR because in a conversation about birthdays, someone asked, "When's your birthday?"
Never quite got past that.
#17
That I type too fast and it made ppl feel uncomfortable like they felt it made them seem less productive and felt rushed to complete their tasks.
#19
We were expecting a huge snowstorm (not unusual - this is snow country) so I sent a note to all the staff to plan accordingly and work from home the next day so we could all stay safe.
One of our cloud architects said that if we were expected to work from home, the company should reimburse us for our internet costs. I calculated that 8 hours of internet use would cost at most $1.07, told him if it bothered him so much that I would personally reimburse him, and to please be patient as I went to my car to dig spare change out of the seat. He then told me it was "just an idea".
#20
On day number one at the naval supply center engineering branch, someone told me i should work slower, as i'm making the rest of them look bad.
#21
That I used hyperbole which made me untrustworthy- the specific example they gave was me saying “I’m so hungry I could eat a million pancakes” when we were having breakfast catered. They had one other similar example I don’t remember. It wasn’t anything related to our work. Truly baffling still tickles me to this day to think about 😂.
#22
I had an employee report that her orchid, which she had left in a common area, had been stolen. For some reason we looked into this and security managed to see on camera who had taken it. I spoke with the guy and he said the orchid was not in great shape so he decided to take it home to nurse it back to health... I asked him to bring it back to work. Biggest waste of time ever.
#23
Not sure if I would call this a complaint, but a few months ago I had an employee come tell me someone sneezed in the employee cafeteria and "wanted to make me aware.".
#25
Some staff wanted me to arrange an exorcism because they were convinced their work building was haunted.
#26
One coworker was always friendly and approchable. he got pulled by HR because a new employee said she felt he was trying hard to approach her.
Related on Bored Panda
