Worked Examples: A Colleague Is Not Pulling Their Weight

This is one of the most frequently tested SJT themes. The scenarios test your ability to balance supporting a struggling colleague with ensuring patient safety and fair workload distribution. Getting the balance right requires assertive communication, empathy, and good judgement about when to escalate.

This lesson works through detailed scenarios with full analysis of each option.

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The Core Principles

Before working through scenarios, internalise these principles:

Principle	Explanation
Support first, then escalate	The SJT values colleagues who try to help before reporting
Cover ≠ Support	Doing someone else's work for them hides the problem; helping them do their work addresses it
Private first	Speak to the colleague privately before involving others
Patient safety is non-negotiable	If the colleague's underperformance puts patients at risk, you must act regardless of the relationship
Consider the cause	The colleague may be struggling with personal issues, health problems, or burnout — the SJT values empathy

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Scenario 1: The Absent Group Member