I worked at a home improvement store (rhymes with Blowes) and they stopped giving commissions on special order materials. I sold kitchen cabinets and Granite countertops and my commissions were an important part of my pay. I could make hundreds and a set of countertops alone.
I complained to HR about it and he listened for a minute and then said the same type of thing happened to his father. He told a sob story and I foolishly shut up and left, because he obviously didn't care.
First HR guy leaves and a new one is hired. I came to him with another significant complaint. He said that the same thing happened to him and that's why he left his last position with the company and took this one. I shut up and left, disappointed with myself for not learning lesson with the last guy.
If you bring a valid complaint to HR, this is one of their tactics to get you to just accept your fate. If youf HR guy does this to you, understand that they're not trying to be sincere or helpful, it's just something they do to get you to go away and leave them alone.