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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2009
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Google Turns to Algorithm to Retain Employees

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(Newser) – Google is dealing with the departures of several prized employees the way it deals with nearly everything: with an algorithm. The search giant has a mathematical formula it says will identify which employees are at risk of jumping ship, the Wall Street Journal reports. The formula has already spotted employees who feel underused, a key complaint.

The company fears that it's lost its biggest draws—a startup atmosphere and ever-soaring stock price—now that it’s a 20,000-person behemoth. Many are leaving for burgeoning startups where they feel they can make a bigger impact. But with the formula, Google’s human resource head says they can “get inside people's heads even before they know they might leave.”

Google umbrellas at Google headquarters in Mountain View, Calif., Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2008.
Google umbrellas at Google headquarters in Mountain View, Calif., Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2008.   (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
In this May 8, 2008 file photo, a Google worker rides a company bike in front of Google headquarters in Mountain View, Calif.
In this May 8, 2008 file photo, a Google worker rides a company bike in front of Google headquarters in Mountain View, Calif.   (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, file)
In this May 8, 2008 file photo, a sign outside Google headquarters in Mountain View, Calif. is shown.
In this May 8, 2008 file photo, a sign outside Google headquarters in Mountain View, Calif. is shown.   (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, file)
A woman talks on her cell phone while using a laptop at a ceremony to launch Google's free music download service for China in Beijing, China, Monday, March 30, 2009.
A woman talks on her cell phone while using a laptop at a ceremony to launch Google's free music download service for China in Beijing, China, Monday, March 30, 2009.   (AP Photo/Alexander F. Yuan)
In this Oct. 27, 2008 photo, Google CEO Eric Schmidt ponders a question during a meeting at Google headquarters in Mountain View, Calif.
In this Oct. 27, 2008 photo, Google CEO Eric Schmidt ponders a question during a meeting at Google headquarters in Mountain View, Calif.   (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
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3 comments
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TerrifiedCitizen
May 19, 09 12:17 PM CDT
Uh huh, except a person does things for their own reasons and all the algorithms in the world are useless when it comes to reading the heart. Reply
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Reader2795
May 19, 09 1:08 PM CDT
This is the age of computer algorithms that do and predict everything. This practice is no more than profiling people, using neural nets, modeling and other data sets to predict no only behavior, but purchasing, credit, investment. You name it and a computer modeling method and algorithm is created. Just how good are these marvels of modern business. Check out Sub Prime Lending, Credit Derivatives, financial meltdown, business lending models and consumer lending models. The list goes on and on. It controls more than anybody knows, including personal freedom. Reply
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kokuaguy
May 19, 09 1:41 PM CDT
Algorithm schmalgorithm ,,, what ever happened to good old nepotism? Reply
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