this is not a psychological problem. it is just a way of behaving. in the workplace it occurs when people do not want to do what the employer wants them to do. the behaviour was first defined during world war ii. men were not openly defiant. they used "passive measures, such as pouting, stubbornness, procrastination, inefficiency, and passive obstructionism" to show their feelings. examples of passive-aggressive behavior might include avoiding direct or clear communication, evading problems, fear of intimacy or competition, making excuses, blaming others, obstructionism, playing the victim, feigning compliance with requests, sarcasm, backhanded compliments, and hiding anger.