Navigating workplace etiquette can be tricky—after all, in a shared office, even the smallest slip can leave a lasting impression.
From noisy typing to loud phone calls, most of us know to keep our behaviour in check. But what happens when an accidental toot turns into a full-blown HR matter?
It may sound like a joke, but for one employee, this situation was no laughing gas.
M’sian man farts on colleague during lunch break
Nathan, an unsuspecting office worker, found himself in the hot seat after a lunchtime mishap that involved a quick release of air—and we’re not talking about a sigh of relief.
His colleague Noor shared the incident online, sparking a conversation about how even the most natural bodily functions can cause quite a stink in the office.
It all began during a casual walk to lunch. Noor and Nathan were strolling toward the café when Nathan turned around and sheepishly admitted, “I farted on you.”
“I didn’t know whether to laugh or feel sorry for him because we were about to go for lunch.”
‘There wasn’t any bad smell in the air’
Noor, more amused than offended, brushed it off with a laugh, thinking it was no big deal.
After all, there wasn’t any bad smell in the air. The duo enjoyed their lunch without further incident—until Nathan mysteriously vanished after their meal.
“I didn’t mind because there wasn’t any bad smell or anything, so we continued to the café… but after we finished eating, I noticed Nathan still hadn’t returned to work,”
When he finally returned to his desk, looking deflated, Noor knew something was up.
He was given a 30-minute lecture by HR
It turns out that Nathan’s lunchtime gas-leak had landed him in an HR meeting—yes, you read that right.
Nathan explained that someone had reported his flatulence as rude and disruptive, resulting in a 30-minute lecture from HR on proper office conduct.
“He was given a 30-minute lecture by HR, but there wasn’t any warning letter, just a call because there was a complaint, and they had to take action,” she added.
Noor couldn’t believe it—after all, only the two of them had been heading to lunch. So, who had blown the whistle on Nathan’s fart?
Though no formal warning was issued, the event left Nathan feeling embarrassed. Moving forward, he made sure to excuse himself whenever the need to break wind arose, avoiding any further run-ins with HR.
“Can you imagine a warning letter saying ‘farted loudly’?”
Noor’s story didn’t just stay within the office—it quickly went viral, with many online commenters chiming in with their thoughts.
One user wrote, “I wonder what grounds HR warned him on? Hahaha… can’t be sexual harassment, right? Funny but informative.”
Noor responded, explaining that HR had simply described the incident as a lack of manners, advising Nathan to take his gas breaks outside next time.
Other users agreed with the company’s stance, with one saying, “I support the HR. Farting in front of colleagues shouldn’t be normalised. It’s bad manners and uncomfortable.”
Another joked, “Can you imagine a warning letter saying ‘farted loudly’?”
