This may help you deal with the immediate problem at hand of your co -worker :
http://members.aol.com/elrophe/Passi...eBehavior.html
Examples of passive-aggressive behaviors include:
Forgetting appointments, promises and agreements; scheduling two things at the same time; or being chronically late.
Saying unkind things and then saying they really didn’t mean what they said.
Acting out nonverbally by slamming doors or objects, but denying anything is wrong.
Becoming confused, tearful, sarcastic or helpless when certain topics come up.
Getting sick when they’ve promised to do something they really don’t want to do.
If you see any of these passive-aggressive tendencies in yourself, you can overcome them in the following ways:
Remove your blinders. Acknowledge your anger, fear and desire to control others. You can only control your choices and no one else’s.
Determine how your hidden anger is being expressed, and develop healthier ways to resolve it.
Work on becoming independent and interdependent with others by developing a cooperative spirit.
Take full responsibility for your own behavior, and learn how to make good choices for yourself.
Refuse the easy way out of painful situations. Grieve your losses.
Practice using willpower and self-discipline by being willing to delay gratification.
Overcome selfishness by getting involved in the lives of others.
Work on developing assertiveness skills such as:
a. Using “I” rather than “you” to state feelings or problems;
b. Being brief, clear and direct in making requests;
c. Taking time to think through a request before you respond; and
d. Learn to problem-solve.
You can overcome passive-aggressive tendencies if you are willing to persevere and relinquish old patterns of behavior.
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