Should You Tell the Professor If Your Teammate Isn’t Doing Any Work? (Uni Student’s Guide)
You’re stuck in a group project. Deadlines are creeping in. You’re pulling your weight. Maybe even doing extra. But there’s that one teammate who isn’t replying, isn’t showing up, and definitely isn’t doing the work. You keep checking your group chat. Still nothing. Now you’re wondering: Should I tell the professor? Will I look petty? Will it ruin the vibe?
Here’s the honest answer: if you’ve tried to fix it and nothing’s changed, yes — you should tell the professor. But there’s a right way to do it. Not out of frustration, but out of fairness. And definitely not as the first move.
This guide walks you through what to try first, when to escalate, and how to approach it without drama — just facts, clarity, and self-respect.
Step 1: Try Reaching Out Directly (One-on-One)
Before jumping to your professor, give your teammate a chance. Sometimes people genuinely forget, get overwhelmed, or think they have more time. A quick message can reset things without escalating.
Send something chill but direct:
“Hey! Just checking in on your part for the project — are you still able to work on it this week? We want to make sure we stay on track.”
That’s low-pressure and gives them a chance to respond. You’re not accusing — you’re nudging.
If they reply and follow through, great. If they don’t respond or make vague promises without action? Move to the next step.
Step 2: Let the Group Know Something’s Off
If they’ve been MIA or not delivering anything useful, the rest of your team is probably frustrated too. Set up a group check-in:
“Hey, I think we need to talk about the workload — not everyone’s contributing equally, and it’s starting to affect the progress.”
This puts it on the table. You’ll often find others feel the same but didn’t want to say it. Once it’s in the open, the group can agree on what to do next — whether that’s redistributing tasks or setting a final deadline for the person to deliver.
Still no response after that? You’ve done your part. Time to escalate.
Step 3: Gather Quick Evidence
Professors won’t take “they’re not doing anything” at face value. If you’re going to report the issue, be ready to show what steps you took.
Here’s what helps:
Screenshots of unanswered messages
Notes of group meetings they skipped
List of what each member agreed to do (with dates)
A breakdown of what’s been submitted so far — and what’s missing
You don’t need a novel. Just show you tried, and that the issue is clear and ongoing.
Step 4: Tell the Professor Calmly, Early, and With the Group (if possible)
Now it’s time. Email or speak to your professor or TA. If others in your group agree, send the message together — it shows it’s not just personal.
Example message:
“Hi [Professor Name],
I’m reaching out about our group project for [Course Name]. One of our teammates hasn’t been contributing, despite multiple follow-ups. We’ve tried reaching out and adjusting responsibilities, but there’s still been no progress.We just wanted to ask how you’d like us to proceed, and whether group marks will reflect individual effort. We’ve attached a quick summary of what each member has done so far.
Thanks for your time!”
Keep it factual. No insults, no exaggeration, no drama. You’re not asking to punish anyone — you’re asking for guidance and fairness.
What Might Happen Next?
Professors usually respond in one of these ways:
They talk privately to the person and encourage them to re-engage
They allow separate submissions or individual marking
They adjust marks based on contribution
They step in to help redistribute work
If your professor’s chill, they’ll respect that you handled it maturely. You’re not the snitch — you’re the one trying to protect the group’s effort and your own grade.
Bonus: What If You’re the Only One Speaking Up?
Sometimes your group is frustrated, but no one else wants to “get involved.” That’s annoying — but don’t let it stop you. You can still report it solo, as long as you stay professional.
Just mention:
“I’m the one reaching out, but I’ve tried discussing this with the group before contacting you.”
Own it calmly. Professors appreciate honesty more than silence.
If This Happens Often, Use Tools That Keep Things Visible
Next time, avoid the ghosting drama by using shared tools. A simple Trello board, Google Doc, or Notion checklist lets everyone see who's doing what — and when. That way, issues show up faster, and lazy members can’t hide.
And if your group struggles with lectures or shared research, tools like Duetoday AI make teamwork easier. It records and transcribes lectures, turns them into clean notes and flashcards, and even lets you chat with the content to clarify confusing parts. You can share the notes with your group so nobody falls behind — even if you’re working at different times.
Final Thought: It’s Not Petty to Protect Your Grade
Group work is hard. You didn’t sign up to do four people’s jobs. If someone’s consistently missing, not responding, or showing zero effort, telling your professor isn’t petty — it’s practical. You’ve got deadlines, a GPA, and limited energy.
Try first. Be fair. Stay calm. But if nothing changes, speak up. You’re not just saving your grade — you’re learning how to advocate for yourself in the real world.
FAQ
Will I seem like a snitch if I tell the professor?
No — as long as you’ve tried to resolve it first. Professors care about fairness. If someone’s dragging the group down and not responding, you have every right to raise it.
What if they start contributing after I report them?
That’s a win. If the professor’s message motivates them to step up, great. Your group can move forward stronger — and you showed initiative.
Can professors give individual grades in group work?
Yes — many do, especially when there are issues. That’s why documenting your own effort helps.
Can Duetoday AI help with group projects?
Absolutely. It keeps your group organized with lecture transcriptions, study notes, and quiz generation. It’s perfect for dividing work evenly and making sure nobody gets left behind — even if you’re working remotely or asynchronously.
