I think it depends on how we define "up." I think it's entirely fair to have a culture that encourages up-or-out, wherein "up" may mean professional advancement, or it may simply mean that the person is performing solidly and achieving good results, or improving year over year.

In this case, "up" means improvement more than it necessarily and literally means up the ladder.

I realize this reponse could be interpreted as a bit of a no-true-Scotsman reply, but honestly, it's intended to be a clarification of my original post.