Updated September 2026: in 2018 I wrote about waiting for my annual salary revision after getting the top rating, with the letter delayed by a month and no clarity on the percentage. I have rewritten it into a guide to what to do while a revision is pending.
In my first year at the company I received a low rating because I had joined late in the cycle, and the small hike I got made little difference. The next year I was given the top rating and even hoped for a promotion, though I knew it was a long shot. No promotion came, the revision was delayed by a month, and nobody could say what the hike would be. I just hoped it would at least cover rising prices and my own expenses.
Why are salary revisions delayed?
In large IT services firms, revisions depend on company results, budget approval at several levels and the timing of the financial year. Delays of a month or more are common in weak quarters, and the delay often says more about the company's finances than about your performance.
What does a top rating usually get you?
A higher share of the hike budget than your peers, but not a fixed number. The overall pool is set first, then split by rating and band. A top rating in a lean year can mean a smaller hike than an average rating in a good year. Promotions are usually a separate decision with their own criteria and slots.
What can you do while you wait?
- Ask your manager for the timeline: not the number, just when letters are expected.
- Write down your achievements: so you are ready if there is a conversation about promotion or a correction.
- Check the market: compare your pay with similar roles, so you know whether the hike is fair when it arrives.
- Avoid rumours: forum posts about percentages are often wrong for your band and unit.
How should you respond if the hike is disappointing?
Ask how the number was worked out and what would change it next year. If the answer is vague and the gap to the market is large, that is useful information for your own planning. A calm, documented conversation is more effective than a heated one.
Is a promotion worth pushing for separately?
Yes, if you meet the criteria. Ask what the criteria are, get them in writing, and track them through the year, rather than hoping the rating alone will carry you.
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