ISSUE 12 | MARCH-APRIL 2025 36 by dragging their feet. When questioned about the delay, they may offer excuses, but the underlying issue is that they are not willing to confront the problem head-on. #2 Avoiding communication Another form of passive-aggression in the workplace is avoiding direct communication. This often manifests as reluctance to engage in important conversations or to address issues with colleagues or managers. Instead of openly discussing concerns, employees may ignore emails, fail to respond to messages, or give vague answers when confronted. This avoidance can lead to misunderstandings and tension within teams, as other employees may feel neglected or disrespected. #3 Gossiping and indirect communication Gossiping is another example of passive-aggressive behavior in the workplace. Instead of confronting a colleague or supervisor directly about an issue, an employee might turn to others, spreading rumors or discussing Passive-aggressive behavior in the workplace may go unnoticed, but its impact can quietly poison team dynamics. So, is passiveaggressive behavior slowly sabotaging your workplace without anyone even realizing it? BEING PASSIVE-AGGRESSIVE: COMMON PRACTICES AND HOW THEY MANIFEST IN THE WORKPLACE At its core, passive-aggressive behavior involves avoiding direct confrontation while still expressing negative feelings through indirect actions. Rather than openly voicing frustration, someone displaying passiveaggressive behavior might show their discontent through deliberate actions, procrastination, sarcasm, or deliberate omissions. Τhis form of behavior can be difficult to identify, as it often appears to be polite or harmless on the surface, yet the underlying message is one of resistance or anger. Key signs of passive-aggressive behavior in the workplace #1 Procrastination Passive-aggressive behavior can appear in many different forms at work. One of the most common is procrastination. For example, an employee may intentionally delay completing a task, causing disruption and stress for others. Instead of voicing their dissatisfaction with the assignment or deadline, they subtly express their displeasure Passive-aggressive behavior was first identified in a clinical setting by Colonel William C. Menninger during World War II while examining how soldiers responded to military authority. He observed that some soldiers did not openly resist orders but instead demonstrated defiance through indirect means, which he referred to as “aggressiveness.” This behavior included actions such as pouting, stubbornness, procrastination, inefficiency, and subtle obstruction. Menninger attributed these responses to immaturity and viewed them as a reaction to the pressures of military life.
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