I work with a male coworker who I'd describe as a passive-aggressive bully. He has angry outbursts daily, several times a day, over every little noise in the office. If another coworker coughs, or talks too loudly, or shuts a desk drawer too loudly, I can expect to hear him mumble angry things under his breath, stomp his feet, slam his mouse, literally SNAP at coworkers or ultimately get up and leave the office in a huff. Several times he has been sent home after altercations.

This all happens from behind his cubicle walls--I'm pretty sure I'm the only one who witnesses this behavior on a day-to-day basis as it is very passive aggressive.

He has a history of this behavior. One coworker already quit over his passive aggressive bullying, after HR met with everyone in our office. Another coworker had to move her desk away from him after an altercation. He's been sent home numerous times. He's now bullying the new female coworker who sits adjacent his cubicle who unfortunately has a persistent cough.

To be fair, I don't find his frustrations unfounded at all. The people in our office are largely oblivious and annoying in their habits. I'm conflicted because I've been an ally of sorts with him as we've joked through chat about the annoyances of the office. I realize this was a huge mistake now that I better know his personality.

The issue is that his angry outbursts are affecting me. I'm starting to feel like I'm in an abusive relationship, even if the anger isn't directed at me. It's making me quite uncomfortable, and creating a very tense work environment.

He knows this behavior is not okay. At least twice now he's come in the next day following a blow-up, and apologized to me for his behavior.

I want this behavior to stop.

I'm conflicted about contacting HR, as this could be the final straw for him given his history, but alas I can't continue to work with this angry person every day. I'm slightly concerned about an angry or violent backlash toward me. Further, I'm not thrilled about getting in a big debacle with HR as the situation has already worn me down.

Should I confront him or contact HR?

I work with a male coworker who I'd describe as a passive-aggressive bully. He has angry outbursts daily, several times a day, over every little noise in the office. If another coworker coughs, or talks too loudly, or shuts a desk drawer too loudly, I can expect to hear him mumble angry things under his breath, stomp his feet, slam his mouse, literally SNAP at coworkers or ultimately get up and leave the office in a huff. Several times he has been sent home after altercations.

This all happens from behind his cubicle walls--I'm pretty sure I'm the only one who witnesses this behavior on a day-to-day basis as it is very passive aggressive.

He has a history of this behavior. One coworker already quit over his passive aggressive bullying, after HR met with everyone in our office. Another coworker had to move her desk away from him after an altercation. He's been sent home numerous times. He's now bullying the new female coworker who sits adjacent his cubicle who unfortunately has a persistent cough.

To be fair, I don't find his frustrations unfounded at all. The people in our office are largely oblivious and annoying in their habits. I'm conflicted because I've been an ally of sorts with him as we've joked through chat about the annoyances of the office. I realize this was a huge mistake now that I better know his personality.

The issue is that his angry outbursts are affecting me. I'm starting to feel like I'm in an abusive relationship, even if the anger isn't directed at me. It's making me quite uncomfortable, and creating a very tense work environment.

He knows this behavior is not okay. At least twice now he's come in the next day following a blow-up, and apologized to me for his behavior.

I want this behavior to stop.

How can I best prepare for a meeting with HR about a coworkers Passive-Agressive Conflict with me?