Model Language


Language for Peer Review Letters

Review Initiator letters and other higher level review letters (AULs, ULs) should be written to clearly indicate whether a standard merit or promotion is recommended, or whether a greater or less than standard increase is recommended. The following are examples of the types of language that would be helpful to include in a review letter.




  • Standard Merit

    • “I recommend a standard merit increase based on this positive review."

  • Merit with Exceptional Performance

    • “I recommend a merit with Exceptional Performance based on this positive review and the exceptional performance during this review period.”




  • Standard Merit / Promotion  (If a merit or promotion is recommended)

    • “I recommend a standard promotion increase based on this positive review.”

  • Promotion with Exceptional Performance

    • “I recommend a promotion with Exceptional Performance based on this positive review and the exceptional performance during this review period.”




  • No Action

    • “I recommend a no action based on this less than positive review”

  • No Action with Salary Increase

    • “While this was a less than positive review, I recommend a no action with salary increase based on the exceptional circumstances described in this review.”
    • “While this review was not uniformly positive, I recommend a no action with salary increase based on the exceptional circumstances described in this review.”




Available Actions for Recommendation:

  • Standard merit increase
  • Merit Increase with Exceptional Performance
  • Standard promotion
  • Promotion with Exceptional Performance
  • Career status
  • No action
  • No action with salary increase
  • Termination