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If your co-worker is making snarky comments, it may be temporary frustration, or some deep rooted problem. At some point, everyone is frustrated. Life is not perfect, and sometimes it just becomes too much to handle. If your co-worker does not let off steam via harmless snarky comments, they will do something worse. The trick is to control the volume and tackle the problem at the root.

If the percentage of positive comments to total comments decrease over time, it is time to take your co-worker aside before they become the rotten apple that ruins the whole basket.

The isolated snarky comment is also a clue. It may be disguised as a (bad) joke. It may be revealed by tone or body language. Or, it may be revealed by silence, ignoring requests, or stalling when presented with indisputable facts. In any case, you have to be aware, and be prepared to intervene.