# Intentional Underperformance at Work: Causes and Solutions Rising trends of deliberate underperformance in workplaces and management strategies - **Source:** [Journal of Management](https://journals.sagepub.com/home/jom) - **Published:** 2025-12-26 - **Topic:** [Leadership](https://brifing.si/c/leadership) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/eb5503e1-f995-468a-b68c-5a33530e5ceb ## What is Intentional Underperformance? This phenomenon, where employees consciously perform below expectations, has become increasingly common in workplaces. Research shows employees engage in this behavior for various reasons, making it a critical management concern. ## Common Causes Lack of motivation, unfair working conditions, inadequate compensation, and leadership issues rank among primary causes. Employees sometimes use this method to balance workload or avoid burnout. ## Organizational Impacts Intentional underperformance can seriously affect company productivity and competitiveness. It disrupts team dynamics, lowers work quality, and may lead to talent loss in the long term. ## Warning Signs for Managers Frequently delayed projects, increased absenteeism, and low-engagement meetings may be early indicators. Timely recognition of these signals is crucial for effective management. ## Prevention Strategies Fair compensation policies, transparent communication, employee engagement, and meaningful feedback can help address this issue. Empowering employees and supporting work-life balance are also key factors. ## Research Agenda More research is needed in this field, particularly examining dynamics in remote work environments. The impact of company culture and leadership styles also warrants deeper investigation. ## Sources covering this story - https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/01492063251398774?ai=2b4&mi=ehikzz&af=R — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._