Microsoft CEO apologises for saying women don’t need to ask for a raise

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella apologised Thursday night and said he was wrong for saying that women don’t need to ask for a raise and should just trust the system to pay them well. Nadella was blasted on Twitter and in blog posts for his comments, which were made earlier Thursday at an event for women in computing. He had been asked to give his advice to women who are uncomfortable requesting a raise. His response: “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.” Not asking for a raise, he added, is “good karma” that would help a boss realize that the employee could be trusted and should have more responsibility. Tech companies hire many more men than women. And beyond the tech industry, women are typically paid less than men.

Without a doubt I wholeheartedly support programs at Microsoft and in the industry that bring more women into technology and close the pay gap.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella wrote in his memo to employees

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