Right up there with Christmas bonuses. "One for you, ten for me. One for you, twenty for me."
I once had a manager who was supposed to distribute a wad of money evenly for Christmas, including to himself. Not!
it took me a good 3/4 years before i was able to have leverage enough to get consistent and worthwhile pay raises. meanwhile i know other folks are still in the same struggle.
pay people the minimum they will accept like good christians.