70-employee warehouse runs out of toilet paper, manager tells employees to use Kleenex instead, after failing to place online order in advance: 'They're one ply off-brand generics'

Author image for Emma Saven
Emma Saven
Nov 22, 2025 1:00 PM EST

Every warehouse employee dreams of the day when the whole warehouse runs out of toilet paper…Wait, no, they don't! And why? BECAUSE THAT SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN. It's okay for your work kitchen to run out of milk, or for the first aid kits to run out of Band-Aids…but the bathroom? That should always be fully stocked, with an emergency supply that could last the next decade.

With only three industrial rolls left and the toilet paper order scheduled to arrive the following day, this 70-person warehouse has certainly seen brighter days. We can't imagine any employees getting work done while living in constant fear of needing the bathroom, that worry lingering in the back of their minds. Now their manager is forcing everyone to use 1-ply Kleenex, perpetrators are being named and shamed, and all sixty-nine employees are dealing with absolute upheaval. Strangely enough, except for Bob from Finance, he seems to be enjoying the one-ply Kleenex change-up they've got going on. 

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  • This is not a public restroom at a Billie Eilish concert, it's a workplace that should obtain order and cleanliness. So when neither options are offered to them, these employees really start to doubt their supervisors. Because someone in charge of such a large group of people should ensure that they have the bare necessities the moment they enter the workplace. 

  • Warehouse with lots of trucks and boxes
    via hamdikandistudio

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • We are out of toilet paper at work starting tomorrow and were told to use Kleenex

    No, this isn't a joke and I am not writing for fun. I work at the front desk of a large warehouse (70 employees).
    via sonofacrakr
  • The janitor and I are in close communication since his closet is near my desk. He told me he placed an order for toilet paper with the warehouse supervisor last week and it should have been in by Friday.
    via sonofacrakr
  • The supply orders do not go through me but the janitor told me he knew it was getting low as he tracks the rolls daily.
    via sonofacrakr
  • Sure enough, our supervisor didn't place the order at all. We have three industrial rolls left.
    via sonofacrakr
  • There are two bathrooms at each end of the warehouse (4 in total) and these rolls will run out by tomorrow morning.
    via sonofacrakr
  • What we DO have are tons of paper towels and Kleenex. The supervisor demands we all use Kleenex instead which will absolutely not happen since they're one ply off-brand generics.
    via sonofacrakr
  • Woman looking confused while reading her notes
    via kamranaydinov

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • The warehouse manager is male and told me absolutely don't mention this issue to any female so no one calls off tomorrow.
    via sonofacrakr
  • Basically, everyone is going to come running to me (front desk) tomorrow and the janitor asking why there is no TP while the warehouse supervisor locks himself in his office playing dumb.
    via sonofacrakr
  • Toilets WILL clog. I sit right outside the bathroom on the far side of the warehouse and I imagine people will just use paper towels which are conveniently located in the women's room.
    via sonofacrakr
  • Any thoughts on this asinine situation I've been placed in?
    via sonofacrakr
  • GuerrillaPrincess This whole thing is fucked but it's wild to me that they specifically say to not tell the women
    via GuerrillaPrincess
  • OP sonofacrakr It's absolutely disgusting in the first place. It blows my mind even more that he told me specifically "don't tell the females".
    via sonofacrakr
  • JustmyOpinion444 Tell everyone. Tell the women twice. And call out yourself.
    via JustmyOpinion444
  • Stressed warehouse worker
    via hamdikandistudio

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • OP sonofacrakr OP here. I have IBS-D. I know my trigger foods but also know a coworker who has the same medical diagnosis. I told her already because it's no joke when you're in a flare with this kind of issue.
    via sonofacrakr
  • rickybambicky Lol tell everyone. Let the world burn.
    via rickybambicky
  • OP sonofacrakr Since I am at the front desk, people will be coming to me within the first hour. My boss made sure it would all fall on me while also not allowing me to announce it Friday as he knew people would prepare in advance. IF I throw him under the bus (Boss didn't place an order), he will have my head as he is one of those "can't do wrong" types. I'm screwed either way. Toilets will clog and knowing him he will just leave for the day.
    via sonofacrakr
  • annasuszhan FYI. Off brand generic is certainly not called Kleenes.
    via annasuszhan
  • OP sonofacrakr Damn. You're super smart.
    via sonofacrakr
  • Lil_Brown_Bat Warehouse super. needs to go out and buy TP from the store with either a company cc or submit to the company for reimbursement. Even if he did place an order and it didn't come in in time, this would still be his responsibility.
    via Lil_Brown_Bat
  • ElTupacabraXXX Drop a dime to OSHA, seems like your boss is creating an unsafe work environment.
    via ElTupacabraXXX
  • Craw__ Facial tissues are designed to not break up in water like toilet paper does. It's not going to do your plumbing any good.
    via Craw__
  • Traditional-Quit-792 You should go over the supervisor's head and email his boss or the owner and let them know they are going to have a huge plumbing bill if people start using the Kleenex and paper towels.
    via Traditional-Quit-792
  • freudmv Tell him the charge for the plumber to unclog the drain will be more expensive than the TP he needs to purchase.
    via freudmv
  • -mrhyde_ I used to bring 2-ply into work because our company would only supply 1-ply. I worked for the DoD.
    via -mrhyde_

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janitor boss cleaning antiwork workplace-stories employee work-drama drama work coworkers environment bathroom colleague workplace warehouse Reddit employment cleanse
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