Dealing With Passive Aggressive Behavior At Work Effectively

✨ How to handle a passive-aggressive coworker without losing your cool (or your sanity):

You’ve got two solid options:

1️⃣ Ignore it: Keep it casual, don’t feed into the drama. Not every comment deserves your energy.

2️⃣ Clarify it: Politely ask them to clarify their intention. (“Do you mean that genuinely, or are you hinting at something?”) This gives them a graceful chance to clear things up—or own up to their pettiness.

Either way, protect your peace and your confidence. You’ve got better things to do than decode someone’s subtweets IRL.

You got this! 👏

#CareerAdvice #WorkplaceDrama #CommunicationSkills #OfficeLife #PassiveAggressive

[mojo]

Learning to "ignore the tone" and only respond to the physical words is the best thing i have ever learned

[alicia]

So...I'm clueless enough that I didn't initially pick up that that was passive aggressive at all until it was pointed out. 🤦

[tonygoldenthesecond]

I have noticed that a lot of people are more passive aggressive and never aggressive aggressive.

[mhmyuhh]

why is your hair extra stunning this video

[Asunflower]

Me, an idiot: Genuinely saying "omg we talked about this!! nice job bringing it up"

[LieseLotte]

This song and dance is so incredibly exhausting for everyone involved. When I sensed passive aggressiveness in my coworkers (wich honestly was not often) I just asked something along the lines of "Did I do something to upset you? If so please let's talk about it as soon as possible or leave it behind." Some wanted to talk, others didn't. In any case it forces them to drop the drama performance and tell you specifically what their problem is. If they can't or won't explain the issue then they can kick rocks about it. Sometimes it's actually something worth hearing out and you get to have an open conversation and learn something for the future, improve yourself. Sometimes it just falls apart the second you actually openly adress the issue or turns out to be some kind of misunderstanding. I just want to work and not pointlessly bicker about nonsense or try and appease people that are trying to stir the pot because they are bored or impossible to please. Maybe that's very German tho 🤷🏻

[Zizalaonfire]

maybe its stupid, but i learnt to take stuff literally from these kind of people. I completely and consciously ignore the snarky subtext and jist say “omg thank you❤️” or just take what they say at face value. It works to establish that unless you gonna use your words corectly and expressively, your issues with me just dont exist.

[tokiomitohsaka]

I took a moment, because I didn’t notice anything passive aggressive at all until you explained it.

[jonathangrigg]

I am on my journey of learning to speak up for myself with authenticity.

Over my career I have never met someone who would respond favourably to the "were you trying to hint at something" response.

I liked your, "don't give them energy" and I really value your scripting of confrontation. It is on point and very helpful to engaging my triggers so I can practice.

Thank you

Subscribed.

[simkaiza]

I'm on a team with a passive-aggressive person — it's so frustrating when they ignore my idea, but when someone else says the exact same thing, suddenly it's great.

[anniesfluff]

I wouldve responded with

"ah thats because i based it off of that idea we discussed, your input really helped in creating this project and i appreciate every thought you had that went into it, if you'd like would you want to work on it together"

But if it was my own idea, and i didnt know and did not base it off

"Ah, I apologize, i didnt realize that it was similar to the idea we already have discussed before, if its not too much may I know more about it, i'd love to improve on the project"

[FreedomIsMyReligion]

I just smile and say thank you with a massive smile on my face. Looove their face of trying to read if I got the passive aggressiveness or not. lol

[fatima]

I really feel like I got this when you say "you got this" and gently double tap that screen, thank you Erin!

[katsimms]

Everyone's talking about your hair (which is top notch), but I love your eye makeup! 🔥

[darrenng]

Amazing hair Erin! And thanks .. i am currently dealing with someone like that at my workplace.

[nerwent]

I'm sorry but your hair... your hair in this video! I'm in love with your hair. It's incredibly wavy and fuffly and light and beautiful.
And great advice too. Thanks!

[Unfilteredsgirl]

I have a passive aggressive coworker but trying to find the exact words to describe how I want to respond are sooo challenging I want to come off direct but also not rude or disrespectful

[jizzlyjizzjizz]

I’m so socially awkward that I’d respond with “Oh yeah lol”

[ZoellaFischerVA]

Errrr my autism makes me miss out the passive-aggressiveness

I would actually believe its genuine and say, "Hey thanks! I took inspiration from your idea and tweaked it by doing X Y Z because of reasons A B C. You should be getting partial credit. Good job to you too :D"

[alexcerny]

Any signs of passive aggression I sometimes retort with “you’re right”