Definition
A scheduled period (usually annual or semi-annual) when companies formally review employees for promotions, creating competition and anxiety while most get nothing.
Example Usage
The spring promotion cycle just concluded; only 5% of eligible employees were promoted despite strong performance reviews across the board.
Origin
Formal organizational practice standardized in corporate HR.
Fun Fact
Promotion cycles create the illusion of fairness and transparency while often being heavily influenced by who their manager knows and whether budget is available.
Source: Career management terminology
Related Terms
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