"Exceeds expectations" but your salary didn't.
Just got through mid-year reviews. My manager called my work "exceptional" and flagged me for a fast-track leadership path. The comp adjustment? 2.3%.
Turns out the budget was "already allocated." The praise was real. The money wasn't.
In-house marketing roles at comparable companies are posting $115–130k for my level. I'm at $96k.
Has anyone else walked out of a glowing review with a disappointing number? Did you push back, go external, or both?

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Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

Those "merit" raises in the low single digits have become standard it seems, and it's like we don't even notice anymore how ridiculous that is. You're doing a great job, here's a slightly bigger crust of bread! Brilliant. Pushing back against it probably won't accomplish much. The only way to get a real compensation bump is to move on, and that's not so easy in this job market.

Stay in the leadership role for a while and then look to move on if the budget isn’t there. That’s the way to bump up salaries if you have to fight for a fair number.

Push back if you can but I’d suggest you build some reputation in the leadership role before considering other options.

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