[walshemj]

The stack ranking element is also open to abuse and capture by outsiders i.e. only so many L3 to L4 slots available in any cycle as some hr been counter is getting a bonus for reducing the pay quanta.

It was even worse at British telecom where there might be only 20-25 MPG 4 (L4 or r 5 in google terms) slots every 18 months or so for all of Systems Engineering (a division with more employees that goggle has now) - competition to just get past the paper sift to an actual interview as brutal.

Its interesting my boss said well if you get an interview we think you can do the job its just deciding who gets a promotion or not

[skj]

Regarding the bean counters, keeping promos down doesn't help their budgets as much as you might think. The bonus you get for "exceeds expectations" brings you approximately to the "meets expectations" total compensation of the next level up.

Or so I've been told anecdotally ... personally I have yet to be promoted or experience a bonus cycle where I hit exceeds...

[walshemj]

Tell that to HR and bonuses can be taken away a lot easier than pay.

And reducing the pay increase quanta by 1% is a lot in a large company.