The Passive-Aggressive Coworker: One Sentence That Changes Everything

Ready-to-Use Lines (Quick Reference)

1. Backhanded compliment: "That's an interesting way to put it. What were you actually trying to say?"
2. Excluded from communication: "I noticed I wasn't copied on that thread. Let's make sure that doesn't happen going forward."
3. Direct check-in: "Hey — I want to check in. It feels like something's off between us. Can we just talk about it?"
4. In the moment: "Are you trying to be helpful — or hurtful?"

Sources

1. Jennifer Brick (career coach) via YourTango — "The Simple Phrase That Instantly Takes The Power Away From Passive-Aggressive Coworkers" [https://www.[yourtango.com/career/simple-phrase-immediately-takes-power-passive-away-aggressive-coworkers](https://www.yourtango.com/career/simple-phrase-immediately-takes-power-passive-away-aggressive-coworkers)](https://yourtango.com/career/simple-phrase-immediately-takes-power-passive-away-aggressive-coworkers](https://www.yourtango.com/career/simple-phrase-immediately-takes-power-passive-away-aggressive-coworkers))
2. Breeze Wellbeing — "11 Passive-Aggressive Behavior Signs" [https://breeze-[wellbeing.com/blog/what-is-passive-aggressive/](https://breeze-wellbeing.com/blog/what-is-passive-aggressive/)](https://wellbeing.com/blog/what-is-passive-aggressive/](https://breeze-wellbeing.com/blog/what-is-passive-aggressive/))
3. Harvard Program on Negotiation — "3 Negotiation Strategies for Conflict Resolution" [https://www.[pon.harvard.edu/daily/dispute-resolution/3-negotiation-strategies-for-conflict-resolution/](https://www.pon.harvard.edu/daily/dispute-resolution/3-negotiation-strategies-for-conflict-resolution/)](https://pon.harvard.edu/daily/dispute-resolution/3-negotiation-strategies-for-conflict-resolution/](https://www.pon.harvard.edu/daily/dispute-resolution/3-negotiation-strategies-for-conflict-resolution/))
4. Forbes — "From Workplaces To Relationships, Experts Explain The Hidden Cost Of Narcissistic Dynamics" [https://www.[forbes.com/sites/maiahoskin/2026/05/13/from-workplaces-to-relationships-experts-explain-the-hidden-cost-of-narcissistic-dynamics/](https://www.forbes.com/sites/maiahoskin/2026/05/13/from-workplaces-to-relationships-experts-explain-the-hidden-cost-of-narcissistic-dynamics/)](https://forbes.com/sites/maiahoskin/2026/05/13/from-workplaces-to-relationships-experts-explain-the-hidden-cost-of-narcissistic-dynamics/](https://www.forbes.com/sites/maiahoskin/2026/05/13/from-workplaces-to-relationships-experts-explain-the-hidden-cost-of-narcissistic-dynamics/))
5. Forbes Human Resources Council — "10 Warning Signs HR Leaders Must Recognize Before Culture Turns Toxic" [https://www.[forbes.com/councils/forbeshumanresourcescouncil/2026/04/20/10-warning-signs-hr-leaders-must-recognize-before-culture-turns-toxic/](https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbeshumanresourcescouncil/2026/04/20/10-warning-signs-hr-leaders-must-recognize-before-culture-turns-toxic/)](https://forbes.com/councils/forbeshumanresourcescouncil/2026/04/20/10-warning-signs-hr-leaders-must-recognize-before-culture-turns-toxic/](https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbeshumanresourcescouncil/2026/04/20/10-warning-signs-hr-leaders-must-recognize-before-culture-turns-toxic/))
6. Reddit r/ToxicWorkplace — Real-world passive-aggressive coworker case (cross-cultural context) [https://www.[reddit.com/r/ToxicWorkplace/comments/1tfg90s/toxic_coworker/](https://www.reddit.com/r/ToxicWorkplace/comments/1tfg90s/toxic_coworker/)](https://reddit.com/r/ToxicWorkplace/comments/1tfg90s/toxic_coworker/](https://www.reddit.com/r/ToxicWorkplace/comments/1tfg90s/toxic_coworker/))