Characteristics of Passive Aggressive Behavior at Work

Don't tolerate passive-aggressive behavior in the workplace.

An individual may harbor resentment toward another person or group of people, but he knows that to express this resentment directly would be inappropriate and potentially jeopardize his career. The passive-aggressive individual will thus find subtler ways to make his anger or resentment felt by the person toward whom it is directed. If you happen to be the recipient of this subtle form of abuse in the workplace, it can take weeks or even months of repeat offenses before you begin to suspect that you are being mistreated. Spot passive-aggressive behavior early by knowing some of the classic warning signs.

Forgetfulness

Chronic forgetfulness can signal deeper resentments.

Is there someone in your office who constantly forgets important meetings? The passive-aggressive individual will claim to forget things: specific job tasks, events, meetings, and assorted responsibilities. Everyone experiences a lapse in memory now and again, but a chronic case of forgetfulness may point to passive-aggressive behavior.

Incomplete Work/Not Pulling Weight

Passive-aggressive people may leave work for others to finish.

Does someone in your workplace have a tendency to leave jobs unfinished, expecting others to pick up the slack? Someone who is passive-aggressive may fail to complete a task they have started, or intentionally do a sloppy or unsatisfactory job, knowing it will likely have to be redone by someone else.

Procrastination

Procrastination can be a tool to passively communicate aggression.

Do you know a fellow employee who always leaves important tasks until the very last minute? The passive-aggressive person may procrastinate habitually on simple assignments as a way of expressing their resentment toward the task at hand. They may make a big show of how they are purposefully avoiding the recent assignment.

Chronic Lateness

Lateness can point to a passive-aggressive personality.

Is one of your colleagues habitually late to meetings, events, trainings, or just showing up late to work? The passive-aggressive employee uses lateness as a language to communicate disdain. More often than not they have very weak excuses for being late, and seem generally unapologetic in regards to their lateness, often passing it off as a joke.

References

• The Mayo Clinic: What are the signs and symptoms of passive-aggressive behavior?