Promotion cooldowns are intended to prevent staff from moving around between positions too often, and to promote stability within DI's ranks. While on promotion cooldown, a member cannot be promoted to any L4+ position.
When a staff member (L3+) steps down, they will receive a minimum of a 3-month promotion cooldown in the following circumstances:
- They are involuntarily removed for any reason (e.g. demoted, inactive, etc.).
- They fail to give a sufficient notice period prior to stepping down:
- L4 and L5 Officers must give 2 weeks notice of stepping down. L6+ Officers must give 1 month notice prior to stepping down.
- If they voluntarily step down from their position (for any reason, including unforeseen RL reasons), but:
- Their unit (e.g. Game/Order) is not compliant at the time of stepping down
- They did not prepare a successor for their unit to take over from them
- They did not serve 3+ Months in their current position (other positions, or total time as an officer is irrelevant)
- The 3-month timer starts when the officer's promotion is posted in a Monthly Announcement (so if an officer is promoted on the 6th, they will actually need to serve closer to 4 months before they can step down without a ban).
- Officers may move to another officer position within the same Game/Order without penalty, to preserve officer talent.
- A Leader may waive a ban under exceptional circumstances/conditions for a Game Director position.
- An Officer's "Manager" is responsible for posting the demotion request in the Demotion register in the Opium Den.
Promotion cooldowns can also be issued in the form of three-month cooldowns or can be issued as one or two year leadership bans dependent on the following factors:
- Higher rank: Higher ranked officers are held to higher standards and are expected to do their utmost best to leave their position on good terms, with a trained replacement and after serving their minimum months in position.
- Impact on unit: Some positions have critical impact on their units. For example, a Game without a Game Manager suffers in terms of growth, causing damage to the game over time.
- Performance: Underperforming in your role can lead to a higher cooldown due to negligence of duties. An officer should leave their position/unit in the best state possible so as not to dump a mountain of work on their successor.
- Conduct: Having poor conduct as an Officer or showing a Lack of Leadership Qualities and professionalism can lead to removal from position and a higher promotion cooldown.
- Standard Cooldown (3 Months): If none is specified this will be applied.
- Extended Cooldown (1 Year): A warning must be accompanied with this cooldown
- Maximum Cooldown (2 Years): A warning + approval from respective GD/OD must be accompanied with this cooldown
Officers may transfer to another Officer Position at any time if they they have:
- Completed 3+ months in their current position and, if applicable,
- Left their unit compliant
The grace period for Game Staff position allows members to explore different officer positions without having to worry about potential cooldowns. This encourages members to find the best fit for their skills and interests.
- Position Trials: Game Staff positions are unique opportunities. You can try out one of these roles for a month without a penalty or cooldown.
- No Penalty for Stepping Down: If you decide the role isn't for you, you can step down within your first month without facing penalties or cooldown periods in general. You can still receive warnings related to performance such as strikes, performance plans or in extreme cases cooldowns if there is serious negligence without an initiation to step down from the person in the grace period.
- Retaking Same Role: You cannot retake the same role in a different Game for 3 months after stepping down. You can retake the same position in the same Game within this 3 month period.
- Limitations: Each specific role can only be trialed on your first time ever taking a position for that role. (e.g. you have on e grace period for GO and one for GM, once you have taken the role for a month, even in the past, your grace period is gone)
- Multiple Trials Allowed: You can trial different positions consecutively (e.g., try GO for one month, then GM) before deciding which one, if any, is the best fit for you.
- Exclusions: This grace period does not apply to Officers who had their Leadership Ban waived.