WorldAugust 9, 2026

underperformer

un-der-per-FORM-er

Definition

An employee whose work performance is considered to be below the required standard or expectations of their role.

Etymology

The word is a compound formed by adding the prefix 'under-', meaning 'below' or 'insufficient', to 'performer', derived from the verb 'perform', which traces back to the Old French 'parfournir' meaning to carry out or finish completely.

In the news

In this article, the bank labeled Mr. Reeves an 'underperformer' for the first time only after he took parental leave, a move the tribunal found to be a discriminatory tactic used to justify his dismissal.

Employment Tribunal awards £1.45 million following Goldman Sachs discrimination claim

Read the full article ↗

The HR Director

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