you should do it nonetheless. There is a certain latency in many systems (this is geek talk, but it’s needed to keep the system stable¹), you’ll build up the necessary force to overcome that barrier by being consistent. If you refuse to submit your performance review, on the other hand, you’re choosing to deny yourself the “financial recognition” you deserve.

_{1. Consider a thermostat, for example, if it responds instantaneously to the surrounding conditions, at the set point, you’d get rapid on-off cycles (in your case, promotion-demotion at the end of each period). Instead, the system waits a little bit to make sure the external condition (or employee’s credentials) is real! Does that make sense?}

If you don’t, you definitely won’t get a pay rise, but you’ll get the label troublesome employee. Consistency is a good thing as Faustus points out – better to be known as that. If it doesn’t get you a pay rise this year, then at least if you apply for other jobs, you can point out that your performance is consistently above average.

You could ask how the remuneration review system works.

it’s best to not rock the boat here. Perhaps in your discussion you can give your constructive ideas on improving the process.

...about 5 years ago.

I felt I was a grade below what I should have been. Not that the grade mattered… but there was a direct correlation between your grade and what you got paid.

So I went and saw my bosses’ boss. (My direct boss had been off sick for 6 or so months, and I sort of felt I was effectively running the department)

I just said that I thought I was doing the job of a grade 9 and would like to be recognised for it. But if he thought that I wasn’t, what could I do better/differently so I could actually earn the grade 9 position.

About two weeks later my promotion letter came through. (He was a great boss to work with… I’m sure he had his faults, but I can’t think of any right now)

I think the important thing here is, I’d couched the request in quite positive terms. Nothing like ‘pay me more or I’ll leave’. I genuinely loved the job and the people there. I think it’s just a matter of picking an effective method to achieve what you want. If it’s purely more money (or to be recognised financially for what you do) then set that as your target and put something into action that you feel is likely to achieve it.

Grow some girl-balls.