(ばってきじんじ)

ばってきじんじ
noun
promotion based on merit; merit-based appointment
formalbusinesswork
1. promotion based on merit; merit-based appointment; selection of someone for a position above their seniority
A personnel decision in which someone is promoted or appointed to a position not based on seniority but on their ability and achievements. Often involves skipping over more senior colleagues.
若手(わかて)社員(しゃいん)抜擢人事(ばってきじんじ)部長(ぶちょう)になった。
A young employee was promoted to department head through a merit-based appointment.
今回(こんかい)抜擢人事(ばってきじんじ)社内(しゃない)話題(わだい)になった。
This merit-based promotion became a talking point within the company.
More companies are emphasizing merit-based appointments over seniority-based promotions.

Composed of 抜擢(ばってき) (selection based on talent, singling out) + 人事(じんじ) (personnel affairs, HR decisions). Refers to promoting someone ahead of more senior colleagues based on their demonstrated ability.

Common collocations

Related words

Cultural note

In Japan's traditionally seniority-based (年功序列(ねんこうじょれつ)) corporate culture, 抜擢人事(ばってきじんじ) is notable because it breaks from convention. It has become increasingly common as Japanese companies shift toward performance-based systems.