It is important to address any performance concerns with postdoctoral appointees as soon as is practicable through professional and respectful oral communication. Conversations about performance concerns should be conducted in-person where possible. Such conversations should also be followed with an email summarizing the conversation. The collegiate associate dean or designee responsible for postdoctoral education should be contacted prior to the meeting with the postdoc to discuss the matter.

If performance concerns persist or are significant in nature, principal investigators should work with their local human resources representative and the associate dean responsible for postdoctoral education in the employing college to determine an appropriate course of action in accordance with the university's performance management practices. It is considered best practice to engage in performance management prior to moving to termination when poor performance is the cause.