AITA for mocking my annoying coworker after she’d been in an accident?

In a busy office, a snarky note in a get-well card stirs up trouble. A worker, fed up with a coworker’s constant jabs about their car commute, pens “Should’ve come by car” after she’s injured in a bike accident. With a broken arm and concussion, she’s not laughing, and the team brands the note-writer petty and cruel.

Picture the scene: a well-meaning gift soured by a biting joke. This Reddit AITA post dives into workplace tensions and humor gone awry, leaving readers to decide: was the note a harmless jab, or a mean-spirited low blow?

‘AITA for mocking my annoying coworker after she’d been in an accident?’

I have a coworker, Hannah, who hates the fact that I come to work by car. Every time I mention traffic, parking or I'm a little late, she goes 'why don't you bike to work instead?'. Or 'should've taken the tram, it's immune to traffic', 'the bike park has plenty of space', etc. It's incredibly annoying and she always does this.

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A few days ago, a car turned on Hannah while she was riding her bike to work and she suffered some very minor injuries. Nothing serious, just a broken arm and a concussion. Our team put together a little present for her, everybody wrote a note and another coworker delivered it to Hannah's apartment.

My note said 'Should've come by car'. I thought it was a funny joke, but apparently not. It got delivered to her and she told the others, who came to me and called me petty and insensitive and are now acting very cold towars me.. I think they are overreacting, it was just a joke. AITA?

Workplace banter can be a minefield, especially when it turns personal. The OP, irritated by Hannah’s relentless biking advocacy, wrote a mocking note in her get-well card after her bike accident. The team’s backlash—calling it insensitive—highlights a clash: the OP’s attempt at humor versus the gravity of Hannah’s injuries, a broken arm and concussion.

This reflects broader issues of workplace respect and empathy. The OP’s frustration with Hannah’s comments is valid, but mocking her accident crossed a line, especially in a group card meant to uplift. Dr. Travis Bradberry, an emotional intelligence expert, notes, “Humor in the workplace must be inclusive, not divisive.” The OP’s note, perceived as gloating, alienated coworkers and hurt Hannah, who’s already vulnerable.

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The OP might have privately addressed Hannah’s comments earlier or chosen a kinder card message. An apology could mend ties—acknowledging the misstep without defensiveness. For readers, this underscores checking intent versus impact in workplace jests.

Check out how the community responded:

Reddit’s got some sharp takes, blending outrage with workplace insights. Here’s what users think about this card controversy:

Adorable_Accident440 - YTA. I wouldn't consider a broken arm and a concussion 'very minor injuries'. What a s**tty thing to write. I hope you feel very superior

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Careful_Fennel_4417 - YTA. A concussion and broken arm are serious. You also know it wasn’t just a joke. And dollars to doughnuts, your coworker makes those comments to you about biking to work not because she’s all high and mighty about her mode of transportation, but because she’s tired of you being LATE.

Legitimate-Meal-2290 - INFO: why do you think your complaining about traffic every day is any less annoying than her suggestions of how you can avoid it? If someone in my office wouldn't shut the f**k up about traffic or parking, I'd probably start stating the obvious, too. YTA, broken bones and concussion aren't 'very minor.'

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Jess1ca1467 - Broken arm and concussion are not 'very minor injuries'. You were smug, insensitive and petty. YTA

Too_clever_by_halfx2 - Missing Info: How often do you complain to your coworkers about the traffic? How often are you late because of the traffic?

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Chelular07 - YTA omfg breaking an arm and a concussion is not minor. That was insensitive and petty.

quackerjacks45 - INFO: I imagine you are not the only person at work that commutes by car. Does Hannah make these comments to all coworkers who drive or just you? I’m betting that you’re pretty annoying with your complaints about traffic and parking and she’s making comments out of her irritation with YOU. Regardless, YTA because a concussion and broken arm ARE fairly serious injuries and you were intentionally being a petty jerk.

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Business_Waltz_5486 - YTA, she could have died...

WafflesFriendsWork99 - YTA. Broken arm and concussion are not minor injuries. She’s annoying but you’re mean.

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Prestigious-Shake979 - YTA it you were friends, saying this to her in person would be funny. If you were close friends, saying it on the card is funny. Nevertheless, you are neither and so it was done in bad taste. Just apologise to her in person and your coworkers should let it go.

These opinions sting, but do they capture the full nuance of workplace humor gone wrong?

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This workplace saga shows how a joke can crash and burn. Was the OP’s note a fair retort to an annoying coworker, or a cruel jab at her pain? Would you risk a snarky quip, or keep the peace with a generic “get well”? Share your thoughts below!

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