LPT: Don't listen to most of the advice in "LPT: Your employer’s HR department is not your friend.".

There are real reasons you should go to your HR department, such as:

1) You are being harassed, for any reason (this is called working in a "hostile work environment")

2) You are working in dangerous conditions.

3) You are asked to do something illegal.

You should NOT got to the HR department just to complain. If you don't like your job, or you don't like your boss, or you don't like the guy next to you, complaining about it is going to be a one-way ticket to the exit door. Does Paul in accounting keep eating your lunch out of the fridge? Then keep your lunch in a cooler next to your desk, don't waste HR's time by complaining about lunchroom etiquette. Don't complain because your co-worker gets special treatment that you think you should get too. No one cares.

But, if you experience one of the 3 main things above, go to HR and report it. It is their job to fix it. It is your job to report it. Document everything in detail. Retain copies of emails. If you get fired for reporting any of these things, and you documented that you reached out for help, you are most likely looking at a lawsuit in your favor. There are a lot of lawyers that would LOVE to talk with you about your case, for free.