Underperformance is when an employee is not meeting the standard of work or behaviour which may have an impact on the individual, team or organisation’s performance.
Underperformance can be categorised under three types:
1. Unsatisfactory work, in terms of quality, quantity and not meeting deadlines. The employee needs to understand exactly what is required from them when carrying out their general duties and responsibilities. The manager needs to be clear when setting tasks so that the individual knows what he/she needs to produce and when they require it to be submitted. This may require short term guidance to the employee from the manager until both are confident in the standard of work being produced.

2. Breaches of company/work policies and procedures. Examples of these may be, continued lateness and absences, disregard to health and safety, work place theft and bullying/harassment of other employees.

3. Underperformance relating to individuals personal problem. The manager need to recognise first the there is a decline in performance with the individual and sit down and discuss the problem with them. Only then the manager will know the extent of the problem and decide if they can provide help or if the matter should be left outside the workplace.