Passive-aggression in the workplace is never appreciated.

When you have a problem with something or somebody, you should probably just come out and say it. I remember in middle school life skills class, they taught us about the different types of communication. There was passive, aggressive, passive-aggressive, and assertive. They taught us to always try to be the last one: assertive. Assertive people can ask for what they want with grace and ease. They don’t have to hide their emotions or their wants, and they don’t have to intimidate everyone in order to get it. Being assertive is easier said than done, but it’s something we should all aim for in the workplace. Passing notes is most often passive-aggressive. This is another thing we learned in school, but in a different way. If you have something sort of mean to say, but you don’t want to say it out loud, pass a note. 

You know this if you’ve ever gotten a note on your door from an upset neighbor. Maybe you were being too loud or parked your car in the wrong spot. And suddenly you’re confronted by a piece of paper that outlines your misdoings. Maybe they thought it was the only way to get the message across… but it comes across as super petty. There is no way around this. If you have something difficult to say to someone… You should say it to their face if you can. Especially in a work setting.