Microsoft's CEO Satya Nadella has been forced to issue an apology, after saying that women shouldn't ask for a pay rise and should instead just trust that the system will reward them.

Speaking at the 2014 Grace Hopper Conference in America, held for women in computing, Satya was asked what women should do if they feel uncomfortable asking for a raise from their boss.

"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," he replied. He added that those who don't ask for better pay are more likely to see benefits.

"That's good karma. It will come back," Nadella said. "That's the kind of person that I want to trust, that I want to give more responsibility to."

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella tells women not to ask for a raise but trust the systempinterest
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Microsoft director Maria Klawe, who was interviewing Satya, made it clear that she disagreed, advising audience members to read up on salary information and rehearse how they plan to ask beforehand.

"Here's my advice to all of you. First of all, do your homework. Make sure you actually know what a reasonable salary is."

She wasn't the only one to disagree, with Satya's comments soon being criticised on Twitter with some branding his views sexist and another asking: "So you've never asked for a raise or a promotion?".

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Satya has since apologised for his answer, saying: "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."

He added in an email sent to all Microsoft employees:

"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 honoured to be a part of it and I left the conference energised 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."

According to a recent survey, the pay gap is actually growing for millennials, so the last thing women need is to be told that they should sit back and wait for "karma" to solve their problems. Fingers crossed Microsoft stand by their commitment to closing the pay gap.

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Claire Hodgson
Editor-in-Chief

Claire Hodgson is Editor-in-Chief of Cosmopolitan UK. Formerly the brand's Digital Director, she has worked in the media industry for over fifteen years, specialising in cross-platform content, from print and digital, to social and video. Originally working as an entertainment journalist, Claire is a film fanatic, box-set binger and music-lover, having interviewed the likes of Channing Tatum and Zac Efron, with her Scarlett Johansson and Mark Ruffalo video going viral in 2015. You're most likely to find Claire writing random entertainment op-eds on her love for Pedro Pascal and F1: Drive to Survive, or lusting after dreamy holiday destinations in our travel section.

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