Schrödinger’s Promotion (noun)

/ˈʃrɜːdɪŋərz prəˈməʊʃən/

Definition

A career state in which an employee has both earned and not earned a promotion, pending the next performance cycle, re-org, or executive mood swing. Exists simultaneously in “approved” and “budget pending” status.

Common Manifestations

  • Promises of advancement “next quarter” since 2019.
  • Managers citing “timing” as a development goal.
  • Employees given new responsibilities but not new titles.
  • HR insisting “we’re still calibrating the bands.”

Usage Example

“I’ve been in Schrödinger’s Promotion for so long, I report to two parallel realities.”

HR Guidance

Schrödinger’s Promotion maintains motivational ambiguity across fiscal years. If morale dips, reissue a new job title with identical pay. Recognition badges optional but encouraged.