Your manager didn't back you this appraisal cycle? Survey shows 1 in 3 felt the same
The nationwide survey found that 22% of employees said they received no support from their manager during appraisals, while another 10% said they were mostly on their own. Together, that means 32% of employees navigated the appraisal process without meaningful backing from their reporting manager.
You know the feeling. You're sitting across from your manager (or worse, on a rushed video call), presenting your own case, defending your own numbers, in hopes of a good salary hike but your manager keeps quiet and somewhere in the middle of it you think, wait, whose side is this person even on?
If that was you this cycle, take a breath, it wasn't just you. According to foundit's Appraisal Trends Report 2026, a nationwide survey of 2,598 employees across 15 sectors, fielded in June 2026, roughly 1 in 3 employees went through this year's appraisal with no manager actually backing them up.
The nationwide survey found that 22% of employees said they received no support from their manager during appraisals, while another 10% said they were "mostly on their own". Together, that means 32% of employees navigated the appraisal process without meaningful backing from their reporting manager.
On the other hand, 37% said their managers actively supported and advocated for them during appraisal discussions.
The findings come at a time when salary expectations are widening sharply from the increments companies are actually offering.
SINGLE-DIGIT HIKES, DOUBLE-DIGIT EXPECTATIONS
The report shows that the most common salary increase this appraisal season was between 6% and 10%, received by 19% of respondents.
Another 15% received increments of up to 5%, while 12% got hikes between 11% and 15%. Only 7% received hikes between 16% and 20%, while 12% secured increases of over 20%.
At the same time, 28% said their appraisal had not taken place yet, while another 8% said they were appraised but received no salary increase.
That means more than one in three employees have either not received an appraisal yet or received no increment at all.
The bigger story, however, lies in what employees expect if they decide to switch jobs.
Only 7% said they would move for a salary increase below 10%. Around 23% expect a hike of 11% to 20%, while 27% want between 21% and 30%.
Another 23% said they would expect 31% to 40%, while one in five employees said they would switch only if they received a salary increase of more than 40%.
In other words, 70% of professionals expect at least a 21% salary jump before changing jobs, far higher than the single-digit increments that dominated this appraisal cycle.
MOST EMPLOYEES ARE ALREADY LOOKING FOR THEIR NEXT JOB
The report also raises questions about employee retention.
Among respondents who shared their job search plans, 52% said they are actively looking for a new role.
Another 34% said they are open to new opportunities if the right offer comes along.
Only 11% said they are not currently looking but would move for the right opportunity.
Just 4% said they have no plans to change jobs.
The findings suggest that most professionals remain open to switching employers regardless of how satisfied they are with their current appraisal.
MONEY ISN'T THE ONLY REASON PEOPLE WANT TO LEAVE
While better pay remains the biggest reason employees consider changing jobs, career growth is almost equally important.
According to the report:
- 23% cited better salary elsewhere.
- 20% pointed to the lack of promotions or career growth.
- 17% said their increment was lower than expected.
- 16% wanted better learning opportunities.
- 14% blamed work culture or management.
- 11% cited other reasons.
Taken together, compensation-related reasons account for 40% of responses, while growth and learning opportunities make up another 36%, suggesting employees are looking beyond salary alone.
NEWER EMPLOYEES ARE WAITING THE LONGEST
The survey also found a clear difference based on experience.
Employees with less than three years in their current organisation were the most likely to still be waiting for an appraisal.
Around 43% of employees in this group said they had not yet been appraised, compared with around 21% to 29% among more experienced employees.
They were also the least likely to have received any salary increase so far.
The report suggests appraisal cycles are progressing more slowly for newer employees than for senior professionals.
WORKFORCE SPLIT BETWEEN 2 VERY DIFFERENT EXPERIENCES
The findings paint a picture of two very different appraisal seasons.
One group had managers who actively supported them during discussions, while another had to make their own case for recognition and salary hikes.
At the same time, companies are largely offering single-digit increments, while most professionals believe they deserve salary increases of more than 20% if they move elsewhere.
The gap between what employers are paying and what employees believe they can earn in the market may become one of the biggest challenges for companies trying to retain talent in the coming months.
You know the feeling. You're sitting across from your manager (or worse, on a rushed video call), presenting your own case, defending your own numbers, in hopes of a good salary hike but your manager keeps quiet and somewhere in the middle of it you think, wait, whose side is this person even on?
If that was you this cycle, take a breath, it wasn't just you. According to foundit's Appraisal Trends Report 2026, a nationwide survey of 2,598 employees across 15 sectors, fielded in June 2026, roughly 1 in 3 employees went through this year's appraisal with no manager actually backing them up.
The nationwide survey found that 22% of employees said they received no support from their manager during appraisals, while another 10% said they were "mostly on their own". Together, that means 32% of employees navigated the appraisal process without meaningful backing from their reporting manager.
On the other hand, 37% said their managers actively supported and advocated for them during appraisal discussions.
The findings come at a time when salary expectations are widening sharply from the increments companies are actually offering.
SINGLE-DIGIT HIKES, DOUBLE-DIGIT EXPECTATIONS
The report shows that the most common salary increase this appraisal season was between 6% and 10%, received by 19% of respondents.
Another 15% received increments of up to 5%, while 12% got hikes between 11% and 15%. Only 7% received hikes between 16% and 20%, while 12% secured increases of over 20%.
At the same time, 28% said their appraisal had not taken place yet, while another 8% said they were appraised but received no salary increase.
That means more than one in three employees have either not received an appraisal yet or received no increment at all.
The bigger story, however, lies in what employees expect if they decide to switch jobs.
Only 7% said they would move for a salary increase below 10%. Around 23% expect a hike of 11% to 20%, while 27% want between 21% and 30%.
Another 23% said they would expect 31% to 40%, while one in five employees said they would switch only if they received a salary increase of more than 40%.
In other words, 70% of professionals expect at least a 21% salary jump before changing jobs, far higher than the single-digit increments that dominated this appraisal cycle.
MOST EMPLOYEES ARE ALREADY LOOKING FOR THEIR NEXT JOB
The report also raises questions about employee retention.
Among respondents who shared their job search plans, 52% said they are actively looking for a new role.
Another 34% said they are open to new opportunities if the right offer comes along.
Only 11% said they are not currently looking but would move for the right opportunity.
Just 4% said they have no plans to change jobs.
The findings suggest that most professionals remain open to switching employers regardless of how satisfied they are with their current appraisal.
MONEY ISN'T THE ONLY REASON PEOPLE WANT TO LEAVE
While better pay remains the biggest reason employees consider changing jobs, career growth is almost equally important.
According to the report:
- 23% cited better salary elsewhere.
- 20% pointed to the lack of promotions or career growth.
- 17% said their increment was lower than expected.
- 16% wanted better learning opportunities.
- 14% blamed work culture or management.
- 11% cited other reasons.
Taken together, compensation-related reasons account for 40% of responses, while growth and learning opportunities make up another 36%, suggesting employees are looking beyond salary alone.
NEWER EMPLOYEES ARE WAITING THE LONGEST
The survey also found a clear difference based on experience.
Employees with less than three years in their current organisation were the most likely to still be waiting for an appraisal.
Around 43% of employees in this group said they had not yet been appraised, compared with around 21% to 29% among more experienced employees.
They were also the least likely to have received any salary increase so far.
The report suggests appraisal cycles are progressing more slowly for newer employees than for senior professionals.
WORKFORCE SPLIT BETWEEN 2 VERY DIFFERENT EXPERIENCES
The findings paint a picture of two very different appraisal seasons.
One group had managers who actively supported them during discussions, while another had to make their own case for recognition and salary hikes.
At the same time, companies are largely offering single-digit increments, while most professionals believe they deserve salary increases of more than 20% if they move elsewhere.
The gap between what employers are paying and what employees believe they can earn in the market may become one of the biggest challenges for companies trying to retain talent in the coming months.
You know the feeling. You're sitting across from your manager (or worse, on a rushed video call), presenting your own case, defending your own numbers, in hopes of a good salary hike but your manager keeps quiet and somewhere in the middle of it you think, wait, whose side is this person even on?
If that was you this cycle, take a breath, it wasn't just you. According to foundit's Appraisal Trends Report 2026, a nationwide survey of 2,598 employees across 15 sectors, fielded in June 2026, roughly 1 in 3 employees went through this year's appraisal with no manager actually backing them up.
The nationwide survey found that 22% of employees said they received no support from their manager during appraisals, while another 10% said they were "mostly on their own". Together, that means 32% of employees navigated the appraisal process without meaningful backing from their reporting manager.
On the other hand, 37% said their managers actively supported and advocated for them during appraisal discussions.
The findings come at a time when salary expectations are widening sharply from the increments companies are actually offering.
SINGLE-DIGIT HIKES, DOUBLE-DIGIT EXPECTATIONS
The report shows that the most common salary increase this appraisal season was between 6% and 10%, received by 19% of respondents.
Another 15% received increments of up to 5%, while 12% got hikes between 11% and 15%. Only 7% received hikes between 16% and 20%, while 12% secured increases of over 20%.
At the same time, 28% said their appraisal had not taken place yet, while another 8% said they were appraised but received no salary increase.
That means more than one in three employees have either not received an appraisal yet or received no increment at all.
The bigger story, however, lies in what employees expect if they decide to switch jobs.
Only 7% said they would move for a salary increase below 10%. Around 23% expect a hike of 11% to 20%, while 27% want between 21% and 30%.
Another 23% said they would expect 31% to 40%, while one in five employees said they would switch only if they received a salary increase of more than 40%.
In other words, 70% of professionals expect at least a 21% salary jump before changing jobs, far higher than the single-digit increments that dominated this appraisal cycle.
MOST EMPLOYEES ARE ALREADY LOOKING FOR THEIR NEXT JOB
The report also raises questions about employee retention.
Among respondents who shared their job search plans, 52% said they are actively looking for a new role.
Another 34% said they are open to new opportunities if the right offer comes along.
Only 11% said they are not currently looking but would move for the right opportunity.
Just 4% said they have no plans to change jobs.
The findings suggest that most professionals remain open to switching employers regardless of how satisfied they are with their current appraisal.
MONEY ISN'T THE ONLY REASON PEOPLE WANT TO LEAVE
While better pay remains the biggest reason employees consider changing jobs, career growth is almost equally important.
According to the report:
- 23% cited better salary elsewhere.
- 20% pointed to the lack of promotions or career growth.
- 17% said their increment was lower than expected.
- 16% wanted better learning opportunities.
- 14% blamed work culture or management.
- 11% cited other reasons.
Taken together, compensation-related reasons account for 40% of responses, while growth and learning opportunities make up another 36%, suggesting employees are looking beyond salary alone.
NEWER EMPLOYEES ARE WAITING THE LONGEST
The survey also found a clear difference based on experience.
Employees with less than three years in their current organisation were the most likely to still be waiting for an appraisal.
Around 43% of employees in this group said they had not yet been appraised, compared with around 21% to 29% among more experienced employees.
They were also the least likely to have received any salary increase so far.
The report suggests appraisal cycles are progressing more slowly for newer employees than for senior professionals.
WORKFORCE SPLIT BETWEEN 2 VERY DIFFERENT EXPERIENCES
The findings paint a picture of two very different appraisal seasons.
One group had managers who actively supported them during discussions, while another had to make their own case for recognition and salary hikes.
At the same time, companies are largely offering single-digit increments, while most professionals believe they deserve salary increases of more than 20% if they move elsewhere.
The gap between what employers are paying and what employees believe they can earn in the market may become one of the biggest challenges for companies trying to retain talent in the coming months.
