#1
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.".
#2
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
The Human Resources department handles its fair share of issues, and not all of them are easy to digest. While some are downright bizarre, like the odd complaints featured in this post, most fall into well-defined categories.
These recurring concerns paint a picture of what employees truly care about. From fairness to safety, workers expect more than just a paycheck. HR may see everything from typing complaints to actual red flags. But some patterns always rise to the top.
#4
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
It was the horrible crime of being tall.
#6
One of the most common complaints? Managers playing favorites. Whether it’s giving choice assignments to a select few or casually inviting only certain team members to lunch, favoritism stirs up resentment fast.
Sometimes it’s subtle, other times it’s blatant. But either way, it makes other employees feel undervalued and ignored. It also chips away at team morale. And once that trust is gone, it’s hard to rebuild.
#7
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
when I was denied unemployment I appealed. Went to the appeal. They didn't even show up. Showed the guy my write up / term. He shook his head and walked out.
Got back pay a few days later.
#9
🙃.
Lack of transparency is another major issue that lands on HR’s desk. When leadership withholds information, employees feel left in the dark. Whether it’s about company direction, hiring decisions, or performance evaluations, silence can breed suspicion. Open communication fosters a sense of belonging and trust. Without it, employees start to disengage. And eventually, they start looking elsewhere.
#10
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.
#11
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.
#12
Then there’s the issue of bullying or hostile work environments. No one wants to come to work dreading how they’ll be treated. From snide remarks and passive-aggressive behavior to outright harassment, a toxic culture can crush even the best teams. HR departments are often tasked with navigating these sensitive situations. But without real action from leadership, nothing changes. And the damage only spreads.
Another popular complaint? Not enough paid time off. As work-life balance becomes more important than ever, employees are speaking up about the need for rest. PTO isn't just a luxury; it’s a basic necessity for mental health. Unfortunately, some employers still act as if time off is a reward, not a right. But burnt-out teams don’t perform well. And the resentment that builds can quietly poison company culture.
#13
#14
'Big Boss' made a personal trip to our building, (15 miles from his own work location), and explained the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) to the complaintent, and some of the extras required by it like parking, doorways, restroom access, ramps for wheelchair access, and the like.
Complaintent failed to see the valid handicapped placard hanging from my rear view mirror.
#15
Difficult managers are a universal workplace headache. Whether it’s poor communication, micromanagement, or a lack of empathy, a bad boss can ruin a great job. People often don’t quit companies; they quit managers. HR hears this one again and again. Strong leadership requires training, feedback, and self-awareness. Without it, turnover stays high, and trust stays low.
#16
#17
#18
He faked her funeral, took compassionate leave (quite a lot of extra leave, as the wife was Indian and he claimed he had to go to India to sort out her estate), was given £500ish from an office collection.
Unfortunately he hadn't let his wife in on the scam, and she phoned the office looking for him one afternoon.
I believe the complaint that came in from his supervisor was 'You know X's wife died, well I just had a phone call from the afterlife'.
He was fired on the spot, sued for his extra leave, and is the reason we ask grieving workers for death certificates before we allow any extra PTO.
Missed promotions are another sore spot that sparks frustration. When hard work isn’t recognized or rewarded, employees feel invisible. Especially when they see less qualified colleagues moving ahead. HR is often pulled into these conversations, trying to explain decisions that lack clarity. Clear criteria and fair reviews matter. Otherwise, ambition turns into disappointment.
#19
#20
Never quite got past that.