Workplaces can feel like small ecosystems where even the smallest habits spark big reactions.

In the case of one worker, a casual desk friendship turned into a full-blown issue when a jealous coworker complained about their chattiness.

What followed was the quietest (and pettiest) protest the office had ever seen.

Read on for the full story!

Chatterbox

Years ago I was working in an office.

I had developed a close friendship with my coworker, and we were literally facing each other due to a gap in the cubicle, and we would chat most of the day.

From her point of view, what they were doing was totally appropriate.

Everyone would chat with coworkers; it was a friendly space.

Mostly we stayed within our “pod,” but because of this gap in the wall, me and this other chick became close and chatted more.

But not everyone agreed.

The person next to me didn’t like that at all.

She complained to the manager.

The manager took their colleagues side, so this worker decided to fight back.

He pulled us both in and said that we were talking too much and it was annoying people.

So we went radio silent.

A few days later the complainer tried striking up a conversation with me.

I simply said, “Sorry, I can’t talk at work because I’m too annoying,” loud enough for the manager to hear.

Apparently that’s all it took to get the manager to reverse course.

I said that every time someone tried to talk to me from there on out.

A few days later I got called back into the manager’s office, was told I’d proved my point, and could go back to how things were.

Turns out, a little well-timed compliance speaks louder than any complaint.

What did Reddit think?

Don’t managers realize their workplaces are nothing without a little morale?

Sometimes when no one believes you, you just have to prove your innocence yourself.

Make no mistake, listening to other people talking while you’re trying to work is distracting.

His point landed without a single raised voice, just a perfectly executed quiet rebellion.

Corporate justice has never sounded so peaceful.

Thought that was satisfying? Check out what this employee did when their manager refused to pay for their time while they were traveling for business.