I work as a scientist in the USA (about to leave). Just before i handed in my resignation, I wanted to see the annual pay rise value. Our laboratory had a ladder system for positions, you start at level 1 and work up, I only spoke to people at level 1 and level 2.
After speaking to a lot of people, asking them how much work they did, how often then came in, how many optional meetings you go to etc etc, it's certain that pay rises were given out based solely on favouritism. The laboratory received a 3% funding increase for everyone to receive their 3%…. But no, people got between 1.5% and 4.5% based on how often you came in (you can be remote as much as you like) and how much you brown nose the lab heads.
I'm from the UK, worked in the EU for a long time too, this would be illegal for us and I can't even believe it's fine here.
Just a good example, the two highest (4.5%) published no papers in 2021 or 2022. One is the lab heads supervisee and the other organises the lab meet ups and very chummy with the heads. The three bottom people (1.5 and 1.6%) had on average 2 papers per year each in 2021+2022 but are fully remote and not American.
I know I'm leaving in 2 weeks, so I'm done with working here, but it still pisses me off. One phrase I learnt from Americans is “boot licker”, and it seems to me, that being a boot licker in the US can get you a lot further and being good at your job.