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If You Ever Want To Be Passive-Aggressive At Work, Here Are 50 Notes To Inspire You (New Pics)
The odds are that you’ve worked with at least one incredibly passive-aggressive person during your career. Usually, this type of behavior is awful for team morale, motivation, and dynamics. In some cases, however, it can be straight-up hilarious.
Our team at Bored Panda has compiled this list of some of the most creative and funny notes workers have left for their colleagues. And they are practically oozing passive-aggression. Scroll down for a good laugh as you have that third cup of coffee with your work besties.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
The Note I Left My Coworker On Friday
RELATED:
#2
Passive Aggressive Office Notes That Are So Good You Can’t Even Be Mad
#3
My Coworkers Passive Aggressive Message On His Lunch
Broadly speaking, there should be no room for passive-aggressive behavior in the workplace. If there’s an issue, it’s best to deal with it directly (if diplomatically) than to lash out in indirect ways. But that’s easier said than done.
It takes quite a bit of courage to have an honest chat with your colleagues about how their behavior negatively affects you. Meanwhile, leaving a note takes far less energy… and you can feel like you’re taking action while you hope that it solves the issue. To be blunt, it’s lazy behavior, and it’s not as risky as solving your problems directly. (Spoiler warning: it probably won’t. There’s no real, effective alternative to open communication.)
#4
Someone At My Work Is A Realist
#5
Passive Aggressive Note At This Diner
#6
Always Remember
Psychology Today explains that passive aggression is an indirect way of expressing your hostility and negative feelings. People who employ passive-aggressive tactics usually aim to hurt or confuse their targets. These behaviors can sabotage your relationships both at work and in your private life.
“Passive aggression stems from deep anger, hostility, and frustration that a person, for whatever reason, is not comfortable expressing directly. When dealing with passive-aggressive behavior, it’s important to understand that beneath all of those snide remarks lies a deep unhappiness and sadness,” PT points out.
#7
Quite A Threat From My Coworker
#8
My Mom Is Absolutely Done With People Stealing Food In Her Office
Stardust she/her 2 months ago
Idk about anyone else but I wouldn’t be able to eat food that I spat in. It’s a lose-lose situation here
#9
Work Place Passive Aggression 101
Vexed Panda 2 months ago
Our biggest offender is the boss's son. This sign would start an interrogation that would make the Spanish I*********n look like tea and biscuits in a fluffy bed with a warm puppy.
There are lots of different ways in which people behave passive-aggressively. Some of the most common ones include the following behaviors:
- Procrastinating
- Missing deadlines
- Avoiding responsibility
- Withholding critical information
- Deliberately being inefficient
- Avoiding discussing concerns openly and directly
- Frequently underachieving, even if you're capable of doing better
#10
This Whole Thing Just
#11
Passive Aggressive Office Refrigerator Technique
#12
Came To Work Today And Saw This Note On The Bathroom Door
According to Psychology Today, passively aggressive people often leave jobs either undone or ‘almost’ complete. Furthermore, they often run late. They also aim to subtly sabotage others when they disagree with them.
For instance, they might give out backhanded compliments or give someone the ‘silent treatment.’
#13
Our It Guy Went On Vacation And Left Us This Note
#14
Do Not Use The Microwave And Copy Machine
#15
Funniest Response To Passive Aggressive Notes
Meanwhile, leadership consultant Stefan Falk, an expert in workplace psychology, pointed out to CNBC that passive-aggressive behavior essentially pollutes the work environment and destroys value. According to him, passive-aggressive individuals are inherently self-serving and constantly pursue approval.
“They can, over time, be viewed as highly competitive as well as result-oriented. But a closer look reveals that the end-game of all this is to serve the own self-interest, not the common good,” Falk notes.
#16
The People In My Office Just Couldn't Help Themselves
Nuku Nyara 2 months ago (edited)
I too have a favorite mug with reindeer on it. It also says "Ugly Sweater" and the reindeer on it are very small and look like a fancy trim on an ugly sweater where they doing "extra curricular" activities that might develop into baby reindeer later. 😉
#17
Dishes
#18
Please Check If You Flushed
On top of that, passive-aggressive individuals want to have followers, allies, and a community of their own, united in their battle against the work community. These individuals often use so-called ‘street smarts’ to get noticed by people who they think can benefit them professionally.
As per Falk, they have “a strong and obsessive dedication of playing the internal political game the right way.”
While they’re doing this, they’ll derail other workers’ agendas, regardless of whether they might actually benefit the company.
#19
Hope You Guys Can Relish This Note
#20
Steve
#21
A Sign That Someone At My Work Put Up After People Kept Microwaving Fish
Owen 2 months ago (edited)
I have been the man that would sometimes eat fish in the break room. Tuna or Mackeral. BUT! I worked in a marina, and on the water. We were all used to the smells of the sea. The boats and other things we brought out of the sea every day smelled WAY WORSE. Was I the a*****e? The sea was part of our lifestyle. It affected everything we did.
The irony is that passive-aggressive employees are frequently concerned with things that don’t affect them because they perceive potential threats in the future. What’s more, they hate their jobs, but they often don’t go for new opportunities elsewhere.
Falk told CNBC that passive-aggressive individuals operate under the notion of, “I know what I have, I don’t know what I am going to get, and chances are that it might be worse.”
#23
My Co-Worker Left An Angry Note About Her Food Being Stolen. Clearly She Missed Something
#24
The Office Fridge Today
The best antidote to passive-aggression in the workplace is accountability. It’s important to call out your colleagues immediately when they start playing office politics, like taking credit for work they didn’t do or for doing something else than what they promised to.
“You must make it painful for them not to live by their words,” Falk suggests.
#25
Co-Workers Keep Stealing My Creamer. Hopefully This Chart Helps
#26
Funny Passive Aggressive Posters Or Notes You’ve Seen Whilst In Hospital
Surely it’s not just me that chuckled when I came across this notice in the kitchen outside the doctors office during one of my locum shifts. Post below if you’ve got images of other passive aggressive posts that made you laugh.
SchadenFreudian Psychology 1 month ago
Please don’t do science experiments in the office break room.
#27
Our Office Candy Guy Left Us A Note
Meanwhile, the BBC suggests that if your passive-aggressive coworkers are trying to antagonize you, your best course of action is to control your emotions and remain calm no matter what. This way, you’re denying your colleagues the reactions that they crave.
If things continue getting worse, either directly address this behavior with the problematic colleague or arrange a meeting with them and your manager. One of the best things you can do is have evidence of the passive-aggressive behavior so the problematic worker can’t deny what they’ve been doing.
#28
This Note On The Fridge At Work
#29
Passive Aggressive Note Posted In The Office Bathroom
SchadenFreudian Psychology 1 month ago
If you use a toilet, you flush it afterwards. Every time. [smh]
#30
I Am Not Your Mother
Which of these work notes made you chuckle the most? Have you ever witnessed your colleagues leaving anything similar in the workplace?
Who is the most passive-aggressive person you’ve ever had the ‘pleasure’ of working alongside, and how did you deal with them? Share your work stories in the comments!
#32
Office Tensions
adi cosmin 2 months ago
Lol, for people who've never replaced one of those, it can be difficult if you have reduced upper body strength and/or coordination
#33
Strictest Rule In Office About Returning To Work After Lockdown
#34
Make Things Better
#35
Did An Onsite Proofreading Job Today And Lold At This Fine Example Of An Office Kitchen
#36
Proudly A Passive Aggressive Workplace
#37
Office Recycling
Andrew Keir 2 months ago
26 steps if you've got embarrassingly short legs to go with your embarrassing face
#38
Passive Aggressive Note Regarding Mugs In The Office
Geoffrey Scott 2 months ago
I am currently drinking my coffee from a cup I found at a job with high turnover in 1986. If it's yours, please describe.
#39
This Note In The Bathroom At Work
LLP-roundincircles 2 months ago
20° faucet knobs! Unique. Looks like a buck growing his antlers back.
#40
Found This In The Office Kitchen This Morning
Robert Trebor 1 month ago
I would just let cups accumulate in the sink until there were no more. And keep mine locked up.
#41
Great Passive Aggressive Signage At Work
SchadenFreudian Psychology 1 month ago
Did Greg ever hear about the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire?
#42
Well, It Was Sticky
#43
Fridge At Work
#44
A Helpful Note
#45
The Company I Used To Work For Would Regularly Post Passive-Aggressive Signs In The Bathroom Regarding How Much Toilet Paper We Could Use Or Cleaning Up After Ourselves By The Sink, But Their Most Recent Sign Is The Worst By Far
#46
I Work With My Dad. He Has His Peeves With A Couple Of Our Warehouse Guys. I Always Say Never Get On My Dad's Bad Side. You'll Never Be Able To Redeem Yourself
#47
Someone Left A Note In The Bathroom At Work
#48
This Is Hanging In My Work’s Break Room. But We’re In MN, So What Do You Expect?
Marnie 1 month ago
I see nothing wrong with this. Simply stating that everyone is responsible for their own dishes would be the first step. I'm guessing this one is not the first one. This one was written after previous notes failed. Here, the only added piece is reminding people it doesn't take long, in hopes of encouraging them not to be self-entitled slobs. This is not passive-aggressive. It's very straight-forward (and not aggressive).
#49
This "Poem" Over The Sink At Work Makes Me Want To Soak My Dishes
The Majestic Opossum 1 month ago
In my defense, oatmeal is very hard to clean without soaking. I would leave a note asking my coworkers to remind me if it was still there after a certain time (because ADHD) 🤷🏽♀️
#50
Every Few Weeks At My Job Something Happens In The Restroom That Requires Management To Put Up Notes Explaining How To Use The Restroom
Andrew Keir 2 months ago
can't help thinking their hiring interview missed out a couple of important factors
#51
Passive Aggressive Sign At An Arts & Crafts Shop
The Majestic Opossum 1 month ago
The problem is I have every intent of purchasing it, until I pick it up to see the price, then that intent is quickly replaced with disappointment.
#52
Will Never Get This Song Out Of My Head Now
#53
I Think Someone Was Already Salty Enough
#54
Meanwhile, In Wargaming HQ
#55
Passive Aggressive Message In Work Break Room
#56
Note I Found In The Fridge At Work
#57
Is Your Name Dave?
#58
Sign In The Bathroom At Work
#59
Notes Left On Leaky Faucet At Work
#60
Hygiene Notice In The Bathrooms At My Work, Is It Just Me Or Is It A Little Condescending And Passive Aggressive?
#61
Passive Aggressive Note In The Office
#62
Saw This On Fb, It "Oozes" A Passive Aggressive Work Environment
Geoffrey Scott 2 months ago
One of the reasons I was fired from Nestle'. Pretty sure they found out who did all the small niggly things that kept things going smooth after I was advised to seek 'other opportunities' after having a meltdown over being the ONLY one.
#63
Found This At Work
The Majestic Opossum 1 month ago
Yes, just like it would take less time for me to clean my child's room than to make them do it themselves, but I still make them do it. Don't be a child Harry 😂
#64
Your Are A Grown Man
#65
Don't Be A Piggy
#66
Our Office Has A Monthly Fridge Purge. Apparently There Now Is A Passive-Aggressive War Brewing Amongst Co-Workers
Rick Murray 1 month ago
Every now and then I go and pop little yellow stickers on things that look like they've been there a while. I'll do that on a Tuesday or Wednesday. Then, on a Friday, everything in the fridge with a sticker gets thrown out (and on Friday I take it all to the compactor so it's gone gone). Some people get upset about their favourite sauce or special designer water...but it's a fridge for staff to keep their food cold into break, it isn't a storage area.
#67
When A Door Is Not A Door
#68
Yeah, I'm Cool With Passing On That Responsibility
#69
Passive Aggressive Notes From HR Etl
#71
Things You Find At People's Work Stations
Colleen Glim 1 month ago
Can do the first one. No guarantees about the second. Depends on the day and the phase of the moon
#72
It's Straight Up Gorilla Warfare In My Office Today
Bill Swallow 1 month ago
Ah, B1 and B2, the Bananas in Pajamas. (So, by the Commutative Principle, we can now also use Pajamas For Scale!)
#73
Left A Passive Aggressive Note At Work And Was Told To Post It Here
#74
Does This Count? Picture Of A Sign On Microwave At Work
Bill Swallow 1 month ago
Now, you just KNOW it's only a matter of time before some wiseacre concocts Microwave Fish Popcorn *just* for *this* office...
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What do you think ?
Eggwodd 1 month ago
I saw a lot of references that made it seem they were from the U.K. maybe they consider sarcasm as passive agressive.
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Eggwodd 1 month ago
I saw a lot of references that made it seem they were from the U.K. maybe they consider sarcasm as passive agressive.
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