1.   A lump-sum merit raise is given once, usually at the end of the year.

2.   But Hale said the agency plans to give merit raises to hundreds of direct- care workers at state institutions this budget year.

3.   Department employees say Hunter has instituted regular staff meetings and flexible hours and has been giving merit raises.

4.   Generally, employees had received merit raises and cost-of-living salary increases each year.

5.   He was denied a merit raise.

6.   Mendoza said the union favors an across-the-board increase, because merit raises rarely reach the workers who need them most.

7.   She began by putting basic HR information on the intranet, then added a Web application that managers use to figure merit raises.

8.   The company also will delay springtime merit raises until October.

9.   The company provided additional money for merit raises, employees with special skills, such as software engineers, and promotions.

10.   The company has proposed to set up three funds for merit raises.