Published: February 25, 2014  Updated: March 12, 2025

The Most Ridiculous Customer Work Orders Ever Received

Those within the facility, maintenance, and reliability industry frequently encounter unusual situations. A common experience involves taking over from a previous facilities manager and being astonished by the unconventional methods used in their maintenance management system. However, the most peculiar aspect of the job often involves the customer work orders received, which can range from perplexing to downright absurd. This discussion will highlight some of the most ridiculous customer work orders ever documented.

Tales from the IT Trenches

The information technology (IT) industry appears to produce some of the most amusing work order experiences. It may be attributed to generational differences, but many people struggle to comprehend technology.

One anecdote involves a technician servicing computers in a school system. A call was received stating that the lights would go out every time a specific computer, among approximately 20 in a classroom, was turned on. The request lacked specificity regarding the problematic computer, and the issue was intermittent. The initial assumption was a faulty circuit.

The technician enlisted the assistance of the individual responsible for electrical systems. The issue was addressed, and normalcy was restored—until the following day. Another computer was activated, resulting in a power outage and a tripped circuit. This pattern repeated throughout the week. Ultimately, through sheer chance, a computer's power supply malfunctioned and required replacement. Upon opening the unit, the technician discovered the cause: the previous computer technician had incorrectly wired the power supply, causing a surge that tripped the circuits whenever the computer was powered on. The problem was resolved.

For additional amusing IT-related work order requests, refer to this list from Datamation.

Aerospace Oddities

The aerospace sector is another domain where peculiar work orders prevail. Some of the more humorous reports include pilots struggling to locate their engines (with the response being: "Look under your wing") and reports of "strange" or "funny" odors emanating from the cockpit. In many cases, these odd odors were found to be caused by the co-pilot. One might consider the value of installing a shower within the cockpit.

Property Management Nightmares (and Laughs)

Property management professionals also encounter a significant number of hilarious and bizarre maintenance requests.

Tenant's imagination can produce some very strange work orders.

Alligators in the Tub: This request, while sounding like something from an urban legend, highlights the unexpected situations property managers face. It raises questions about how such an animal could enter a residential dwelling, and the required actions to safely remove it.

Flammable Water: Reports of flammable water suggest serious underlying issues, possibly related to gas leaks or contamination of the water supply. These requests require immediate and thorough investigation to ensure the safety of residents.

Ghostly Flickering Lights: While often humorous, these requests can indicate underlying electrical problems. It demonstrates how tenants may interpret technical issues through a non-technical lens.

Finding More Ridiculous Stories

A valuable resource for discovering interesting customer work order stories is at NotAlwaysRight. By entering specific industry or position keywords in the search bar, users can access a wealth of entertaining tales. This site provides a collection of stories from many different industries.

The nature of customer work orders means that there will always be a chance of a strange request. It is part of the job within the maintenance, reliability, and facility industries.

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