When someone says you can’t get a merit-based raise because it’s against company policy, they are referencing a specific policy about how raises are given and how they are not. Your company policy, aka the employee handbook, aka the policies and procedures, aka the operating guide, is the place where your company’s leadership (and probably legal support) have documented exactly how things should go in their world. As boring as these documents are, it’s so important that you read your company’s policy document. You’ll probably find at least a few things in there that will surprise about how things are supposed to operate. You may also find gaps between how people interpret and enforce policy, and gray areas that leadership may have intentionally left that way to promote flexibility. 

One policy that is important to read front to back is the one on salary increases. Of course, you should get familiar with any policies that are relevant too but I’m highlighting this one because it is commonly disregarded and it is one middle managers have to begrudgingly enforce time and again to hopeful but uninformed employees. If I had a dollar for every time someone asked me if they could have a raise because they picked up an extra assignment, and every time I directed them back to the policy that clearly stated that this was not a qualifying indication for a raise, I’d be rich. 

Reading the policies is like learning the rules to a game. You can only play as well as you know the rules—how to follow them and how to go around them. Mapping out your raise starts when you’re accepting a job. Everyone’s been told to ask about opportunities for growth when accepting a job offer. And of course any hiring manager is going to say that there is room to grow because they are desperate to fill the job you’ve just been offered. The last thing on their minds is your growth plan. Therefore, it’s important to read the policies on promotions and raises to begin to map out what’s really possible. Do you have to wait a year before you’ll be considered for a promotion? Will you have to completely change jobs or are there ways of getting increases with your current role? Be as prepared as possible. Take advantage of your ability to know the rules of the game so that you can play your best. 

Responsible for writing your company’s policies? Curious about how to develop inclusive, supportive and fair salary increase policies? Check out my other articles on salary increase caps, raises and promotions.