WHAT TO SAY · PERFORMANCE
How to tell an employee their work is not good enough
Vague criticism makes people defensive. Specific examples, a clear picture of good, and an offer of help make the same message feel fair.
Before you start
- Pick two or three recent examples, with their effect.
- Be able to describe or show what good looks like.
The script
- OPEN WITH
[Name], I want to talk about the quality of some recent work, because I think we can fix this together.
In [example], [specific problem], which meant [effect]. In [example 2], the same thing happened.
What good looks like here is [description or example].
What do you think is getting in the way?
Here is what I will do to help: [training, a checklist, reviewing a draft]. Let us look at the next piece together on [date].
Replace the [brackets] with real details. Say it in your own words; the structure matters more than the exact wording.
If they say…
“Nobody told me that was the standard.”
That is fair, and that is on me. Let us write it down now so it is clear.
“I have too much on.”
Then let us look at your workload together. I would rather have fewer things done well.
What to avoid
- "You need to step up."
- Saving it all for the annual review.
- Rewriting their work yourself without telling them.
Related
- Feedback examples on quality of work
- How to tell an employee their probation is being extended
- How to tell an employee about a mistake that affected a customer
- How to talk to an employee about frequent sick days
- How to tell an employee to stop working late and overworking
- How to tell an employee they are going on a performance improvement plan
- All 24 scripts