[1000100_1000101]

I think most HR departments are hoping people can't do math, and as such, raises should be expressed in after-inflation-and-taxation values. If we force credit-cards and car loans to use a standard annual easy to understand APR format, why not enforce simplicity on our incomes too.

I think my last raise, after inflation and income tax changes were taken into account, ended up being something like a 0.1% increase. I'm happy I'm employed and all, but lets stop pretending I got a "raise".

[mclightning]

This is exactly what frustrates me so badly, with yearly performance evaluations. I was working at Sony for 3~ years. I would receive "Exceeded Expectations" as the evaluation, and raise matching the inflation :D, then they expect you to show gratitude and appreciation :D

It is almost an insult at intellect of anyone working at a knowledge work.

So, I switched to consultancy instead. No longer, annual performance review bullshit. My hourly rate is so high, they don't waste my hours with such crap anymore. That has been my new motto for career "If they're filling your time with crap, you're being underpaid for your time". Make them think twice for using your time.

[milkytron]

> I think my last raise, after inflation and income tax changes were taken into account, ended up being something like a 0.1% increase.

My last raise was actually a decrease when compared with inflation. I took on the responsibilities of a dev that left and a lead that didn't lead.

I asked for a raise and they gave me what they said, "Was the best we could do."

I left and got a 40% raise somewhere else, and started a mass exodus once others knew how much I got offered.

I'm pretty sure that company now outsources all development aside from a couple people who stayed to start their career. They were already beginning to outsource development jobs, and we could all see the glass ceiling that was installed on top of our heads, despite being told it didn't exist.

[derekp7]

I wonder if instead of asking for a higher raise, if there is better luck asking for a promotion. A promotion can typically be justified as getting an additional 10 - 15% bump in pay on top of the last merit increase, and can happen at any time of the year. Technically you are leaving one role and getting hired into a new one, but at the same company.

[futureproofd]

This is exactly what I've been telling some friends who've been at the same jobs for the past 5 years getting 3% standard raises. They don't even take into account the inflation (which itself may be underestimated). I always tell them they're actually losing money every year by staying at those particular jobs.