The most interesting part about this time of the year for a lot of white collar individuals (also depending on your company) is year end bonus and year end merit increases.  This is for many people out there basically the result of the culmination of your entire years of work.  Its time for your company to put your worth down on a piece of paper. 

I've always wondered  and always extremely surprised why large corporations time and time again shortchange the employee, I get it from a certain perspective where they are trying to save money and why give employees more when the majority are willing to do the same work for less.  However if you've ever been deemed a high performer I've always wondered why they are willing to do the same for high performers as well.  You would expect a high performer would know their worth and as well continue to produce for you as an employee so why would you short change these folks as well. 

If I had to give some advice to anyone reading thing and are still struggling to get fair compensation from their employer, I would tell them to take a very fair and realistic look at themselves and their performance.  If you see yourself as a high performer and have been constantly told how importantly they are to a company yet aren't being compensated fairly, I'd say time to start asking for what you're worth or start looking around for better opportunities.  You will be rewarded if you truly are one of the best performers.

Curious as to what everyone thinks here as well, whether from the perspective of a manager or an employee.