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Managing Underperformance

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This guide supports organisations to address volunteer underperformance in a fair, supportive and constructive way. The resource outlines approaches to performance appraisal, identifying underperformance, having difficult conversations and responding appropriately.

Benefits for volunteer managers

  • conduct performance appraisal and feedback
  • identify and address underperformance
  • manage performance issues
  • manage risk and complains
  • execute volunteer exit and offboarding.

How to apply this resource

Use this guide to inform supervision practices, performance reviews and responses to ongoing underperformance.

Downloads and sources

More about the author

Volunteering Australia is the national peak body for volunteering, working to advance volunteering in the Australian community. Their vision is to promote strong, connected communities through volunteering, and their mission is to lead, strengthen, promote and celebrate volunteering in Australia.

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