Feeling Overlooked: How Should I Address My Missing Salary Increment?

I am working in a reputed pharma company as a Medical Representative for the last 20 years. Recently, the company has not given an annual increment, whereas it has been given to other colleagues in the same headquarters. They are not replying to my letters, emails, etc. Where should I raise this issue?

Performance Appraisal Policy Inquiry

Do you have a "Policy on Performance Appraisal" well in place? If yes, is it implemented consistently and uniformly? When was your performance appraisal conducted last? Who conducted it? What is the rating process? Are the ratings kept secret? To whom have you sent your letters? Did you route your letters through your immediate Regional Manager (RM) or Zonal Manager?

Please provide more details of your case. If you have not approached HR, then approach HR and find out what they say. Try approaching the Head of HR as a last resort.

Thanks,
Dinesh V Divekar

Understanding Annual Increments

Annual increments in any company are given to employees based on their individual contributions for that particular financial year. Has your company linked the increment policy with the performance of the sales/marketing department staff or not? If not, some other reasons might be at play in your case. It could be from a disciplinary point of view or possibly your immediate boss has provided incorrect information about your performance/behavior to higher authorities. This is a common practice in private organizations.

Steps to Address the Issue

To understand the reasons for not receiving your annual increment, you should first meet with the HR department. They will provide you with the necessary information. Based on this, you can decide whether to continue in your current job or start searching for another opportunity.

Regards

Naturally, it's a cause for worry, especially after 20 years of long service with your firm. We have no information on the methodology normally adopted by your firm for granting annual increments. Except in some firms that have a policy to conduct 'performance appraisals' individually to consider annual increments, an "average and above performer" could be granted an increment in the normal course. So far, you were given the increment, but this year it did not happen, which understandably should give you worries.

Judge or ask yourself whether your performance has been above normal or lacking. Try to recollect if there was any instance or occasion that could have led to withholding your increment. Why didn't you ask or discuss this with your functional head or immediate boss earlier? They may know the exact reason. As others suggested, you should also ask HR about the reason behind this delay (I would call it that).

Nothing is lost; approach them and ascertain why this has happened to you. You will then realize what you should know thereafter. Don't panic, but if there is anything you should improve upon, don't hesitate to apologize and seek their pardon. Assure them that you will work on it to win back their confidence. I hope everything will fall into place. All the best.

It is not mandatory to give annual increments. You can only request and escalate the issue to the seniors. You cannot take any legal action or approach any authorities. If your salary is reduced, then you can visit the respective labor officer.

It is not mandatory to give annual increments. You can only demand and escalate the issue to the seniors. You cannot take any legal action or approach any authorities. If your salary is reduced, then you can visit the respective labor officer.

Annual Increments and Employee Rights

It is unfair to say that "it is not mandatory to give annual increments." If there is a policy and process implemented where the employee has been rated good for his/her contribution to the company during the appraisal, he/she should receive the annual increment. An employee can legally fight for his/her right. It would be biased to withhold any increment for any reason if rated good during the appraisal.

Even HR is not responding to my several reminders on this issue. However, I have filed a case in the labor court as not only this, they have transferred me to a distant headquarters in the name of business exigency. All over India, they have made around 50-55 transfers, all of seniors. How to overcome this as per law? Please do not suggest a change.

With reference to the query of the original querist, it may be informed that since he is a Medical Representative, he is governed by the Sales Promotion Employees (Conditions of Service) Act, 1976. Under Section 6(2) of the Act, the provisions of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 are applicable to them. The grant of an increment is not at the discretion of the employer. It is a benefit earned annually by the employee and can only be denied on grounds of misconduct proved against the employee. Furthermore, discriminatory treatment given to such an employee is considered an unfair labor practice under the ID Act. If they have transferred you to a distant place, the validity of that needs to be looked into.

Thanks,
Sushil