Trending @Cognizant; Are our appraisal rewards really aligned with performance fairness?
Sharing a thought that many of us might be feeling but haven’t openly discussed yet.
This year, it seems like the highest hike % (~5%) has gone to recent top performers, while the higher % (~9%) has been given mainly to those who received consecutive top ratings across two cycles. If that’s accurate, it raises a genuine question:
Since it’s already very difficult to get consecutive top ratings because of normalization and bell-curve limitation, is it really fair to use “back-to-back top rating” as a condition to access the highest reward band? In simple terms, most people may work exceptionally hard, get a 5 once, and still never see the actual top-tier reward because the probability math is against them, not their performance.
Also, considering the gap between announcements, profits, external messaging, and the actual hike value, many are trying to understand whether the reward model truly reflects performance motivation.
With the 19th November town hall coming up and CEO joining, it would be great if more associates attend, listen, and — where appropriate — ask for clarity on how future cycles will ensure transparency, fairness, and predictability.
This discussion is not about blame, but about seeking clarity, fairness, and motivation for those who continuously contribute.
The sad fact is no companies gives good hikes. No hikes or 2-5 % is the new norm and market standard. To over come this you need to upskill well and shift. Come out of the mindset I work hard and company owes anybody a good hike.
While I see your point, the earlier process has not been fair either. Even with consecutive 5 star ratings, exceptional client feedback for 5 years and going above and beyond for the department, I have been denied promotion by my manager for reasons such as tenure and other people waiting in line. So, for someone like me, the policy is a blessing. Managers no longer have absolute control over promotions and can’t abuse that power. If they give 5 star ratings, it means the person is already performing at the next level, yet when it comes to promotions, they exploit us while someone else reaps the reward for our hard work.
