The tell is that as soon as they don’t like how things are going they flip from calling them estimates to commitments.
Also if someone’s estimates aren’t perfect, that’s something you can use to justify withholding salary. The game is fixed. It’s just a good deal less fixed for us than for the average person.
Well your responsibilities warrant a 20% raise but since your estimates are bad and your <bullshit other reason> was not 5 out of five, we’re giving you a 6% raise. Better luck next year right?
Also if someone’s estimates aren’t perfect, that’s something you can use to justify withholding salary. The game is fixed. It’s just a good deal less fixed for us than for the average person.