Satya Nadella, the Microsoft chief executive officer, has said women don’t need to ask for a raise and should instead put their trust in the system – one that at technology companies is overwhelmingly male.

Nadella spoke on Thursday at an event for women in computing held in Phoenix. He was asked to give his advice to women who are uncomfortable requesting a raise.

“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 answered. Not asking for raise, he added, was “good karma” that would help a boss realise the employee could be trusted and should have more responsibility.