Dear HR Manager from Managing a Stretched Team

Dear HR Manager,

Over the past year, several team members have stepped up—leading meetings, mentoring junior colleagues, and driving critical projects. Despite this, their titles and compensation remain the same. A few have started to voice concerns, and I’m sensing growing frustration.

Failing to address this now could compromise retention and employee well-being. How can we acknowledge these added responsibilities, ensure people feel valued, and prevent quiet promotions from eroding trust?

– Managing a Stretched Team

Dear Managing a Stretched Team,

Quiet promotion happens when an employee gradually takes on significantly more responsibility without a corresponding title change, salary adjustment, or formal recognition. While it’s often unintentional—and sometimes even viewed as a vote of confidence—quiet promotion can cause resentment. To address it thoughtfully, consider these strategies.

Recognize the Shift—Openly and Early

When someone steps into a more significant role, recognition shouldn’t wait. Even if a formal promotion isn’t immediately possible, timely conversations matter. Acknowledge the expanded responsibilities, offer short-term incentives when appropriate, and set a clear timeline for a formal review. Transparency keeps employees from feeling taken for granted.

Clarify Advancement Criteria

Quiet promotion often highlights a gap in the way career growth is communicated. Make your promotion criteria and timelines visible to both employees and managers. Be clear about what qualifies someone for a new title or raise. When expectations are clear, it’s easier to prevent frustration and misalignment.

Support Managers in Navigating Growth

Most quiet promotions happen without ill intent—they emerge from evolving roles and fast-moving priorities. However, managers need guidance to navigate those transitions fairly. Encourage regular check-ins about the scope of work, document changes in responsibilities, and flag when workloads exceed what a current title suggests. HR can also help by reviewing trends in job creep and ensuring pay equity.

If handled intentionally, a quiet promotion can become a defining career moment—not a trigger for disengagement or departure. You can turn behind-the-scenes growth into meaningful, career-building recognition.

– HR Manager

Originally featured in UBA’s April 2025 HR Elements Newsletter.