Microsoft CEO Apologises After Saying Women Shouldn’t Ask for Pay Rises Because of “Karma”

Microsoft’s CEO Satya Nadella has apologised to company workers for his suggestion that it's “good karma” for women not to ask for a pay raise and instead “trust the system” to eventually reward their work. Nadella was speaking at a gathering of women in technology on Thursday, when he was asked for an advice on the right way to ask for a pay rise. The CEO told the audience in Phoenix, Arizona, that: "It's not really about asking for the raise, but knowing and having faith that the system will actually give you the right raises as you go along." "Because that's good karma. It'll come back because somebody's going to know that's the kind of person that I want to trust." Nadella has been in his position at Microsoft since February of this year. Following the event, he took to Twitter to clarify his stance and admit that his comment was "inarticulate".

Was inarticulate re how women should ask for raise. Our industry must close gender pay gap so a raise is not needed because of a bias #GHC14 — Satya Nadella (@satyanadella) October 9, 2014

  Nadella was then forced to apologise, sending an email to employees which Microsoft made public. The email read: All – Today I was interviewed on stage by Maria Klawe at the Grace Hopper Conference – I encourage you to watch the video. It was great to spend time with so many women passionate about technology. I was honored to be a part of it and I left the conference energized and inspired. Toward the end of the interview, Maria asked me what advice I would offer women who are not comfortable asking for pay raises. I answered that question completely wrong. Without a doubt I wholeheartedly support programs at Microsoft and in the industry that bring more women into technology and close the pay gap. I believe men and women should get equal pay for equal work. And when it comes to career advice on getting a raise when you think it’s deserved, Maria’s advice was the right advice. If you think you deserve a raise, you should just ask. I said I was looking forward to the Grace Hopper Conference to learn, and I certainly learned a valuable lesson. I look forward to speaking with you at our monthly Q&A next week and am happy to answer any question you have. Satya Nadella earns $1.2 million per year and stands in line for a bonus of $3.6 million.