It's the same old story, when inflation was high they told us the raise would slightly lag because HR have to wait for competitor benchmark survey which will eventually catch up. Once things calm down a bit then they spin the same story as be grateful of your 2-3% raise, it's better than than half of your poor coworker who got nothing. Remember when we used to target 75% benchmark and now we aim for (around) median
Sure inflation comes down, but don't forget inflation is compounded, those 8% price increases are forever baked into everything else.
What a scam.
And the employees are brainwashed to think... Oh no I should shut up and hid in the corner because if I ask for competitive pay then I would be let go. I remember being promised in this company you forego performance bonus for a consistent base pay increase. How stupid I was to buy that statement