How can I handle 'no promotion this year' in a performance review?

Question

I had a meeting with my manager regarding my career and promotion. I discussed my achievements which include product delivery, quality, and cost. I also nailed every single item on my KPI that he and I set together last year. My manager agreed that I made huge impacts on a few products and he would talk to his boss about my promotion. I am currently a mid-level manager leading three teams. Each team has a manager or a team lead helping me. I am essentially already doing the work of the job I expect to be promoted to.

I will have a follow up meeting with him soon. While I hope for the best, I would like to prepare for the worst. My plan is to insist him on my performance and delivery then ask him to share his reasons.

What is the best way to handle the meeting if his feedback is "no promotion this year"?

Answer 1

What is the best way to handle the meeting if his feedback is 'no promotion this year'?

Listen to what your boss has to say. Listen to any areas where he thinks you need improvement and then do the necessary work to improve. Don't start any arguments.

The fact that he is going to speak with his boss about your promotion indicates that he is likely not opposed to promoting you and maybe cannot unilaterally make the decision. Ultimately, it could be his boss's decision whether or not you are promoted.

Sometimes your performance is not even a factor in whether or not you are promoted. There could be budgetary reasons for no promotion. You need to be prepared for this as well.

Answer 2

With COVID a lot of companies are looking to avoid increases and promotions this year and will use it as an excuse. You should be reasonably understanding that with the uncertainty it is hard to make long term decisions.

Make it clear you are disappointed and ask for written confirmation that were it not for other factors you would have received a promotion. You could also ask for a review in say January, rather than waiting a whole year.

You might ask to be promoted with a delayed salary increase if money is the issue, securing the role and a future increase when things settle down.

Another option is to ask for alternative perks, at least until the promotion is forthcoming, such as extra holiday.

Answer 3

What is the best way to handle the meeting if his feedback is 'no promotion this year'?

Unfortunately it's so common that it's impossible to say what is a good course of action. The best way is to figure out what sort of ways you can get the promotion and whether you qualify. I think your best way to handle this is to figure out if they're really serious or if there is a way you can promote. My guess is that you're more than qualified for the position but chances are they don't see it that for reason of your pay. They probably don't want to pay you more, but want you to do everything you're qualified to do. If that is the case, then you need to consider leaving as conditions probably won't get better for you.

There are three things you can do:

1. Continue working as is.
2. Find a new job with offer in hand and turn in your two weeks.
3. Figure out how to get a promotion and whether you qualify. This requires you to sit in front of your boss, tell him/her that you absolutely want to promote and want to know how. If they say no, then look at #1 and #2 above. Otherwise, if they say you qualify but they really don't have an opening right now, then ask how soon will they know. Put your foot down and say you really want the promotion and you need an answer on how soon they can promote you. If they keep pushing it around, then I would look at #1 or #2 above.

Answer 4

What is the best way to handle the meeting if his feedback is "no promotion this year"?

No means no. It means you will not get more money, a company car or comparable benefits. Let me explain:

he would talk to his boss about my promotion

This makes it clear that your boss can't make the decision.

This is important, as it means that neither you nor your boss can change the decision during the meeting, and very probably it won't be overturned no matter how much dissatisfaction you voice and how understanding your boss is.

ask him to share his reasons.

Do not be confused. This meeting will not be a discourse with an open end. Your boss will relay the decision of "upper management", which might or might not have been influenced by his meeting with his superiors. Ultimately, in your upcoming meeting, you will have to live with what they give you.

Your boss will probably tell you reasons why they 'are unable' – they never say 'do not want to' – give you a raise. You will have to judge for yourself whether you believe the reasons and how likely they are to change. Then, you will have to treat this just as any other situation where your company denies you a salary incease despite you personally performing well.

Your course of action then should simply be dictated by the age-old question of whether the grass is greener elsewhere.