When Office Etiquette Fails: The Bizarre Story Of A Stolen Office Chair That Ended With The Police Showing Up

Starting a new job usually comes with a little excitement, a fresh notebook, and maybe a plant you’ll forget to water in two weeks. But one new hire took things up a level by bringing in a luxury office chair — we’re talking roughly $1,800 worth of ergonomic glory.

This wasn’t just any seat. It was the centerpiece of the newcomer’s workspace, the kind of chair that says, “I value lumbar support more than my car repayments.”

The chair was so impressive that a senior coworker decided they wanted it. So they took it. Just rolled it right away like they were entitled to a throne.

At first, the new employee assumed it was a misunderstanding. Chairs wander in offices — sometimes people “borrow” one and forget to bring it back. But the chair kept going missing, and polite attempts to talk it out led absolutely nowhere.

After days of irritation, the new hire finally laid out proof: receipt, purchase details, the whole shebang. The rightful owner was clear. The situation should’ve ended there.

It did not.

The coworker refused to return the chair anyway, digging in like this was some sort of ergonomic standoff. What began as petty workplace drama escalated into something far more serious.

Eventually, authorities got involved. And yes, the coworker who wouldn’t give up the $1,800 chair ended up being arrested. Over an office chair. Truly ,the plot twist nobody had on their workplace bingo card.

The office was stunned, and the incident quickly sparked conversations about respect and personal boundaries. Just because something is sitting in a shared space doesn’t make it communal property — a lesson some people apparently need spelled out.

One new hire decided to kick things up a notch by bringing in a high-end office chair — and things quickly got wild.

user25451090 / freepik (not the actual photo)

A senior coworker apparently decided they liked the chair so much, they just… took it.

voronaman111 / envatoelements

At first, the new employee probably hoped it was a simple misunderstanding. But the chair kept disappearing, and attempts to reason with the coworker went nowhere.

Anonymous / reddit (not the actual photo)

Eventually, authorities got involved, and the coworker who wouldn’t give back the chair was arrested.

drazenphoto / envatoelements

Here's the original post by Reddit user 'LeffJeff'.

I got a new job in sales working for a company that sells access control systems, CCTV systems, etc. The chair in my cubicle was uncomfortable AF, so I day 3 I brought in my own Herman Miller Aeron chair. On day 4 it was missing. I looked around and another sales rep was sitting in it. I asked for it back but he basically told me to F off.I went and spoke to the owner of the company. He told me that the chairs aren't reserved. They are first come first serve. I explained that I OWN the chair and it cost me $1800. He told me that I need to come in earlier if I want that chair.The next day the same guy was sitting in it when I got to the office. I told him to give it back or I was going to call the cops. He refused. So I called the cops.It was quite the scene, but in the end he admitted that he took my EIGHTEEN HUNDRED DOLLAR chair. I was prepared. I had the receipt which showed the serial number. (Yes, Aeron chairs have serial numbers.) They asked me if I wanted to press charges. My new boss said I would be terminated if I had him arrested, so I said "Absolutely! I want to press charges!"My new boss fired me on the spot, so I carried my chair out with me a I was leaving. And yes, the cops arrested the dude who took my chair (He admitted to it!).The dude who took my chair has been in the industry for about 15 years, but he's going to lose his security license, which means he won't be able to work in the industry. He's going to lose his job. I don't give a shit. He shouldn't have stolen my chair.Am I the asshole for making this dude lose his job?

Here's how the Reddit community reacted.

cheffgeoff

You don't need security clearance to sell CCTVs.

pink_gem

He what?

Smile_Terrible

Most companies wouldn't allow it.

ssevener

You should sue!

SocietyIcy5951

Sometimes you need to be an AH.

mercurygreen

NTA.

bmyst70

"Your boss is awful."

angelwarrior_

That's wrongful termination.

early_birdy

Don't underestimate a good chair.

Clear_Language9069

Name and shame.

Tight_Independent_26

They aren't worth that much.

destiny_kane48

"Talk to an employment attorney."

LdiJ46

Time to lawyer up!

ModeratelyIndependent

What began as an attempt to make a cubicle feel a little more comfortable spiraled into full-blown office lore. One person’s entitlement turned a fancy chair into a headline-maker.

It also highlighted just how wildly people can misjudge workplace etiquette. An office is shared — your belongings are not.

For the new hire, it was a win earned with patience, persistence, and a willingness to follow things through. For everyone else, it was a gentle (and slightly ridiculous) reminder to respect boundaries.

What started as a small attempt to make a cubicle feel like “home” turned into full-blown workplace chaos.

DC Studio / freepik (not the actual photo)

This bizarre saga serves as a reminder that workplace drama can come in all shapes and sizes. And sometimes, the drama literally has wheels and an ergonomic cushion.

DC Studio / freepik (not the actual photo)

At the end of the day, this story strikes a chord because everyone knows how important it is to protect your space, your things, and your peace of mind. Some battles are absolutely worth fighting — even when the battleground is an $1,800 ergonomic masterwork.

And so this workplace saga rolls on (quite literally), proving that office drama can be unpredictable, absurd, and occasionally equipped with adjustable armrests.