doing reviews sucks and many managers are happy to push them out to infinity.


I say just respectfully ask for a discussion related to your performance. Don't frame it as wanting more money, the subject will probably come up. You simply want to know how you are doing and are driven to make improvements where needed. Tell them it can be a brief informal meeting if the company processes is too involved.

I can't see how any manager could have any issue with that. People report to me do this frequently and it is usually a productive exercise.

I think it's okay to ask for a raise. You get 0% of what you don't ask for. I've been frustrated before when people in my org. have had a significant issue with compensation but never told us.

I always hated them.

Worst is when the organization tries to keep Dept Heads "honest".

I get it because too often Dept Heads don't want to give bad reviews for a variety of reasons, they think admitting to having an under performer reflects poorly on them, they are too nice and just hand out increases like lollipops, they can't be honest with staff, etc....

But when they set a max average that must be met it means someone on the staff is getting the shaft, either not getting the bump they deserve because it blows the salary cap or one getting nothing (even though they deserve something) so another can get above the average.

I used to deal with those by going for mid year market adjustments outside the annual window.