"I (personally) feel that there's an implicit understanding with my employer, wherein my above and beyond efforts will result in increased compensation." Your

"I (personally) feel that there's an implicit understanding with my employer, wherein my above and beyond efforts will result in increased compensation." Your expectations around compensation should be based on explicit not implicit understandings. Making assumptions about how your emploeyer is going to make decisions about your compensation is not only likely to lead to disappointment, it's a poor way to maximize your salary if that's what you're interested in.