Microsoft CEO apologizes for saying women should refrain from asking for raises

[cali]

and trust the system.

Since making his public debut as Microsoft CEO last March, Satya Nadella has generally been praised as a thoughtful public speaker. Nadella drew criticism this week, however, when he suggested women should refrain from asking for raises and instead trust that "the system" will reward their hard work. Nadella subsequently apologized for the remarks, calling them "inarticulate" and "completely wrong."

Somewhat ironically, Nadella made the comment at the Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing conference in Phoenix, where he participated in a keynote Q&A with Maria Klawe, president of Harvey Mudd College and a member of Microsoft's board of directors. For much of the talk, Nadella appeared to have a comfortable rapport with the audience, which heard him celebrate the rise of women CEOs in India and praise the unique perspective women bring to traditionally male fields. His remark on pay came during the talk's final 10 minutes.

"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 answered when Klawe brought up the hot-button issue of women being less likely than men to ask for raises. "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."

<snip>

Nadella's response sparked ire on social media. Many pointed out that the "karmic" system Nadella advocated hasn't worked out in practice. According to an oft-cited study by the American Association of University Women (AAUW), women earn only 78% of what equally qualified men are paid. Another recent study concluded women request an average of $7,000 less than men when negotiating salaries.

"It is shameful that Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella would tell women -- especially in an industry that already has a serious problem recruiting and retaining female talent -- not to ask for raises. Wage discrimination costs women and their families close to half a million dollars over their lifetime," said Nita Chaudhary, co-founder of women's activist group UltraViolet, in an emailed statement.

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http://www.informationweek.com/strategic-cio/team-building-and-staffing/nadella-apologizes-for-gender-pay-gaffe/d/d-id/1316548?_mc=RSS_IWK_EDT

At least it was a real, full throated apology, but what a thing to say.

[Wait Wut]

1. I've had to ask for very, very few raises in my life.

In fact, I can only remember asking twice. But, I've been very lucky to have worked for men that truly do appreciate the work that I have done. I also used to average a much higher salary than most men in my field. Then, I moved to Arizona.

It is quite possible that Mr. Nadella is one of those men, but there are too few of them. Suggesting that women not ask for raises is dangerous. Being underpaid is not only hard financially, but destroys a person's self esteem. When you see the people around you making more money, taking vacations, driving more reliable cars, you become despondent, which affects your work. Too bad all employers don't realize this.

[MANative]

2. He can apologize for his words until the cows come home...

but the problem is with what he thinks. His attitude about women is what needs to change, or he'd never have spouted this crap in the first place. Sadly, he's far from the only "business leader" who thinks this way. The rampant misogyny that I've either experienced or witnessed in my fifty-some years is soul-crushing on so many levels that I can't even find the words to express it.

[Liberal_in_LA]

3. kick

[catrose]

4. WHAT?

Srsly? Don't ask for a raise? Because the system will reward you? Okay, it's just my experience…forty years of it…but NO. Let me rephrase that: HELL & (&%(*&%)(%){){{ NO.

Just wondering if he thinks the same for men, and if that's how he's run his career.