Group work
How to handle a group project member who isn't doing their share
The short answer
Message them directly first, be specific and give a clear deadline. "Hey, checking in on your section for Friday. Are you still okay to have it done by Wednesday? If something's come up, let us know so we can plan around it." Keep a record of tasks and messages, and if nothing changes, let your tutor or lecturer know early rather than after the deadline.
Why this conversation feels hard
Nobody wants to be the person who calls a classmate out, especially when you'll see them in lectures or seminars every week. It's tempting to just do their part yourself and stay quiet.
You also don't always know why someone has gone quiet. They might be overwhelmed, unwell or unclear on what they're supposed to do. Starting with a direct but open question gives them a chance to step up before things get tense.
Word-for-word examples
A first check-in message
Assume good intent and make the next step clear.
- SofterHey Sam, just checking in. How's the literature review going? Let me know if you need anything from the rest of us.
- CalmHi Jordan, we're putting the slides together on Thursday. Could you share your section by Wednesday evening?
- ConfidentHey Alex, we haven't seen your part yet and the deadline is Friday. Can you upload it to the shared folder by tomorrow night?
When they haven't replied or delivered
Be clear about what happens if the work doesn't come in.
- SofterHey, we haven't heard from you in a few days and wanted to make sure you're okay. If you're struggling with your section, we can split it differently.
- CalmWe still need your part to finish the report. If we don't have it by Wednesday at 6pm, we'll need to reassign it and let the tutor know who did what.
- ConfidentWe need your section today. If it's not in by tonight, we'll cover it and note the contributions when we submit.
Raising it with your tutor or lecturer
Stick to facts and dates, and show what the group has already tried.
- SofterHi Dr Mensah, I wanted to ask for some advice about our group project. One member hasn't been able to contribute, and we're not sure how to handle it fairly.
- CalmHello Professor Hughes, our group has messaged one member three times since the 10th about their section and haven't had a reply. Could you advise us on how to proceed?
- ConfidentHi Ms Novak, I'm letting you know that one member of our group hasn't completed their assigned section despite several reminders. We'd like to discuss how contributions will be assessed.
Make the wording fit
In a group chat with several people, agree as a group who will message the person, so it doesn't feel like a pile-on. For a work-placement project or team at a job, the same steps apply, but your manager takes the role of the tutor. Use the title and name your course normally uses for staff.
What not to say
Calling them out in the group chat
Public pressure usually makes people defensive or more likely to disappear. Message them privately first.
"You're so lazy"
You might not know what's going on for them, and labels make it harder to get the work done.
Quietly doing their part and saying nothing
It might get you through this deadline, but it hides the problem and can affect your marks and workload.
Going to the tutor without trying first
Most tutors will ask what you've already done. A direct message and a clear deadline come first.
What if they respond…
They say they're overwhelmed
Thanks for telling me. Would it help if you took a smaller part, like the references, and we shifted the rest?
They say they didn't know what to do
That's on all of us to make clearer. Your part is the data analysis for section three. Can you have a draft by Wednesday?
They promise it's coming
Great, thanks. Could you send it by 6pm tomorrow so we have time to put it all together?
They still don't deliver
We've covered your section so we can submit on time. We'll be honest with the tutor about who did each part.
Common questions
Should I tell my lecturer if someone isn't contributing?
If you've tried talking to them directly and nothing has changed, yes. Tell them early, keep it factual and mention what the group has already tried.
How do I prevent this in the next group project?
Agree on who does what and by when at the first meeting, and write it down in a shared document. Regular short check-ins make problems visible early.
Is it okay to remove someone's name from the project?
Check your course rules first. Many courses don't allow that without involving the tutor, so ask them before making changes.
What if the person not contributing is my friend?
Be kind but still clear. A private message that separates the friendship from the work, such as "This isn't personal, but I need your part by Thursday", usually helps.
A place to start
Start with a direct, friendly message, set a clear deadline and keep a simple record. If that doesn't work, talk to your tutor early. You can be fair to them and still protect your own work.