Satya Nadella now says he was wrong to say that women shouldn't ask for a raise.

New Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has apologized for his controversial comments this week about women in the workforce where he said women don't need to ask for a raise, but should instead place their faith in the system to pay them well. Nadella faced a wave of criticism through social media in the wake of these comments, and now says he was wrong to make them in the first place.

Per CBS News, Nadella was asked during a presentation this week at the Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing event what advice he would give to women who felt uncomfortable seeking a raise. He said: "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." Nadella went on to say that not asking for a raise is "good karma" that would eventually lead a manager to see that the employee is trustworthy and capable of taking on more responsibility.

But in a memo shared on Microsoft's website, Nadella said he was "completely wrong" to make these comments. He added that he "wholeheartedly" supports programs inside Microsoft and across the industry that help bring more women into the technology field and in turn close the pay gap that exists in the tech space between men and women.

"I believe men and women should get equal pay for equal work," he added in his statement. "And when it comes to career advice on getting a raise when you think it's deserved, [presenter Maria Klawe]'s advice was the right advice. If you think you deserve a raise, you should just ask."

In closing, Nadella said he was happy to attend the event, and that he "certainly learned a valuable lesson."

Microsoft released an internal diversity report earlier this week that showed that 29 percent of the company's global workforce are women, which represents a 5 percent year-over-year increase.

Nadella was named Microsoft CEO in February, becoming the company's third chief executive. He follows in the footsteps of Microsoft icons Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer.

http://www.gamespot.com/articles/microsoft-ceo-apologizes-for-controversial-comment/1100-6422866/

Am I the only one who didn't find anything offensive about what he said.
It just seems as if he chose poor words to convey his message.
But typical media...always blowing things out of context.

I kind of have to agree with people that complained about his comment.It kind of reminds me of this

Imo he didnt say anything wrong, at all.

honestly,. i think this is pretty insulting to any employee (not just women). what he's really asking is that you never demand to be payed for the value of the work you do but hope that at some point the company will recognize your hard work and someday get around to properly paying you.

...i've worked for both big and small companies and i know very first hand how far big companies will go to ensure people are compensated at little as possible. the "karma" thing can kind of work at a small company were relationships are very personal but when dealing with a big corporate HR the entire system is built to keep you down.

From his experience, what he said probably makes sense. Many larger corporations have weighted scales and schedules in place regarding pay raises. You don't get one, or even extra consideration, just because you ask. They're based on milestones. Continuously asking for a raise can be a negative mark for you with supervisors--I know because I've been there. I've been annoyed by a relatively undeserving employee asking for a raise often, to the point they tried to turn it into a running joke with a "just kidding" on the end.

It's funny to me that he isn't allowed to give honest advice which might actually be helpful without people being offended. That's dumb. People might not agree, which is fine, but being offended? Give me a break.

Wait what? I thought Satya Nadella was a woman. o.o

*sigh* doesn't even look like his comment was aimed towards women in the first place. He would have said that about anyone who wants a raise, man or woman. I bet thats how he got to be CEO of MS. He worked hard enough over the years to warrant promotions.

Damn sexist bastard. It is so wrong to stereotype people, especially women, like that.

But what else could you expect from an Indian?

/s

He said women shouldn't ask for a raise. It was on the news even lol. Microsoft is PR handicapped in all devisions, not just the gaming one.