Which issue can arise due to the structure of broadbanding?

The structure of broadbanding often leads to employee expectations of promotions being directly tied to pay raises. This is because broadbanding consolidates multiple pay grades into a wider band, meaning there are fewer opportunities for traditional upward movement in terms of salary. As a result, employees may anticipate that when they receive a raise, it should also come with a promotion, reflecting a higher position or responsibilities. This expectation can create dissatisfaction if they do not see a clear path for advancement, as it blurs the lines between pay increases and promotions.

Other issues like confusion over pay grades can occur with broadbanding due to the reduction in distinct pay levels, but the primary issue is often the misunderstanding of how raises relate to career advancement. Similarly, while the structure might lessen job variety by grouping roles more broadly, the most significant challenge tends to arise from the misalignment of pay expectations with promotion opportunities.