off-cycle compensation adjustment

Definition

A surprise raise given outside the normal review period, usually because they realized you were about to quit or a competitor tried to poach you. It's the corporate equivalent of only fixing the relationship when your partner has one foot out the door.

Example Usage

After I got that job offer from their competitor, HR suddenly approved an off-cycle compensation adjustment.

Source: Compensation and benefits terminology

Related Terms

Beginner

Mentorship

A professional relationship where a senior employee gives career advice to a junior employee, usually by telling them to do the exact opposite of what made the senior employee successful. The mentor gets to feel wise and the mentee gets anecdotes from 2003.

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Intermediate

blind hiring

Recruiting practices that remove identifying information from applications to reduce unconscious bias, like names, photos, or school names. Trying to trick hiring managers into being objective.

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cultural add

A hiring philosophy focusing on candidates who bring new perspectives and diversity rather than simply fitting existing culture. The enlightened evolution of 'culture fit' after everyone realized that just meant 'people like us.'

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off-cycle review

An unscheduled performance evaluation that either means you're getting promoted immediately or fired quickly. The suspense is the worst part.

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Advanced

red-circled

An employee whose salary exceeds the maximum of their pay range, usually protected but not eligible for raises until the range catches up. Congratulations, you've hit the salary ceiling!

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Beginner

trainee

An employee who's still learning the ropes, typically fresh out of school or new to an industry, undergoing structured training before assuming full responsibilities. Trainees exist in that awkward limbo where they're expected to contribute but forgiven for not knowing things that everyone assumes are obvious. The period when asking "stupid questions" is not only acceptable but encouraged.

👥 Human Resources

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wthdym

what the hell do you mean...