I have been an employee at my place of business for 16 months. Though that is a short amount of time, I have been given many important tasks in my field. I am cross-trained in many different departments, I have worked my bosses position when they are busy or on lunch, and I was informed by a district manager that I am the best employee he has ever met (and I have all of this in writing, filed away). I was even offered a promotion to a managerial position, but had to turn it down to continue my education. Last December, I was informed that I received the largest pay increase of all the other employees at my level, and I hope this year won't be any different. The reason I'm not so sure I will receive a large pay increase is that I have been on academic leave for the past 3 months. I will be returning to my place of work in December, so I will not have been gone long.

I am wondering if I will be able to argue a large raise by using all of my professional assets as a basis, regardless of my academic absence. Or should I be content with whatever I receive and credit any small sum to my 3 month absence?

Thoughts, opinions?