DailyTech - Google Applies Algorithm to Answer Staffing Problems

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Internet Google Applies Algorithm to Answer Staffing Problems
Shane McGlaun (Blog) - May 21, 2009 11:32 AM

29 comment(s) - last by Jimbo1234.. on May 22 at 1:27 PM

New algorithm can identify employees most likely to quit

Google is the cream of the internet search and advertising crop and got to its top spot on the backs of a large group of dedicated and talented employees. Some of the very same employees that helped Google get where it is today are now leaving the company in increasing numbers.

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reports that Google is concerned that the loss of top staffers could hurt its long-term viability and ability to compete in the market. To help find the solution to the problem, Google is applying a new algorithm to mine employee data.

Google claims that its new algorithm can identify which of its 20,000 employees are most likely to resign. Exactly what the formula looks at is unknown, Google officials declined to comment on what the formula looks at reports the WSJ.

The inputs that the algorithm works form that are known are employee surveys and peer reviews. According to Google, the algorithm has already identified some employees that are most likely to quit and employees that feel underused. Feeling underused is reportedly a top reason employees leave.

Edward Lawler from the Center for Effective Organizations at the University of Southern California said, "They [Google] are clearly ahead of the curve, but a lot of companies are waking up to the fact that there is a lot of modeling that can provide you with critical data on human capital."

Google's Laszlo Bock said, "[the algorithm can] get inside people's heads even before they know they might leave."

Google is justified in its fear of losing top employees and engineers. A migration of early and many important Google employees has been occurring as Googlers move to greener pastures with new startups like Twitter and Facebook. Google has even found that its infamous perks are no longer good enough to keep top talent in place.

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Sooner or Later...

By EricMartello on 5/21/2009 11:53:49 AM , Rating: 3

Most people realize that a JOB is just a JOB no matter what the title/salary is. Not all people want to be a tool their entire life. :) Plus, Google's idea of perks is making their work environment like a faux college campus - that seems like an extremely douche-bag type of environment to be in.

RE: Sooner or Later...

By Screwballl on 5/21/2009 12:01:36 PM , Rating: 4

and you my friend are number 1 on their list to be fired.

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RE: Sooner or Later...

By JasonMick

(blog) on 5/21/2009 1:16:28 PM , Rating: 4

Actually, you raise an interesting issue -- Google is using the algorithm to try to retain employees, but its just a matter of time before other companies adopt similar algorithms to figure which employees to fire (if they haven't already, that is).

Just imagine:
"Bob, you're a pretty good worker, but I'm sorry, we just gotta fire you. The computer said it. C'mon, don't make this harder than it has to be."

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RE: Sooner or Later...

By AnnihilatorX on 5/21/2009 1:21:52 PM , Rating: 1

Why would you fire someone who's going to leave on their own accord anyway?

Some company severance pay only applies when one is laid off.

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RE: Sooner or Later...

By Samus on 5/21/2009 5:34:05 PM , Rating: 4

Companies often pressure certain workers into voluntarily leaving by giving them a paycut, crappy hours, mistreatment, etc, so they can avoid paying out severance.

Additionally, they don't qualify for unemployment if they're not fired or laid off.

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RE: Sooner or Later...

By Smartless on 5/21/2009 2:49:54 PM , Rating: 2

Hehe or the possible...

"But I loved my job...."
"Actually... I didn't like you."

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RE: Sooner or Later...

By CU on 5/21/2009 12:11:36 PM , Rating: 2

What collage did you go to that had ball pits, slides, and free video games to play on projectors? Because, I went to the wrong one.

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RE: Sooner or Later...

By acase on 5/21/2009 1:37:18 PM , Rating: 4

Yah evidently you went to one where all you did was cut up pictures and then paste them all together to make one big picture.

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RE: Sooner or Later...

By MavisPuford on 5/21/2009 5:50:03 PM , Rating: 1

LOL that was the best comment I've read all day. You win the internets, a bag of chips, and some pink lemonade.

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RE: Sooner or Later...

By Ammohunt on 5/21/2009 1:42:31 PM , Rating: 3

I watched a show on Googles work environment last night. Would be great to work there if i was a 20 something know nothing willing to work 60 hours a week. Having a family reduces the importance of perks I work to live not live to work.

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RE: Sooner or Later...

By IvanAndreevich on 5/21/2009 11:31:19 PM , Rating: 2

I visited Google last summer when my friend was working there. It was pretty good.

It's not like you HAVE to spend more time there. Some people do and some people don't.

Food was great and there was all sorts of recreational stuff if you want it. Definitely a plus for me - and I am not one to spend extra time at work.

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RE: Sooner or Later...

By Doormat on 5/22/2009 1:29:09 AM , Rating: 3

The average age of the employee makes a huge difference. Me and my peers (all within 2-3 years of me) were very hard workers when we were in our early and mid 20s (we all went to college and worked for our company 30-40 hrs/week), we would spend the weekends working (either at the office or from home) and dump lots of free time into our company (writing software).

The further away from 25 and the closer we got to 30, we started doing stuff outside of work - a few of them got married and are now starting families. Some of us (myself included) don't have a family quite yet but started to burn out or find interesting things to do like traveling now that we have a house, stable job, money in a savings account, etc, we can afford to get out and do stuff.

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Hope to See a Follow-Up

By clovell on 5/21/2009 11:39:59 AM , Rating: 2

That's news that Google can identify these employess who are likely to resign. Whether it's good or bad news depends on whether they go further and really dig into the reason why employees leave.

If not, I can see this being used when trimming the fat - cut the people most likely to leave. I mean, it makes sense, but you don't have to be a rocket scientist to realize what that will do to morale.

RE: Hope to See a Follow-Up

By bhieb on 5/21/2009 12:23:54 PM , Rating: 2

quote:
If not, I can see this being used when trimming the fat - cut the people most likely to leave. I mean, it makes sense, but you don't have to be a rocket scientist to realize what that will do to morale.

That is what old school companies would use the data for, a good one (presumably google) would find out why a good employee is unhappy and fix it. Why spend the time and effort to ID unhappy "fat" that needs to be trimmed anyway, just let them leave on their own.

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RE: Hope to See a Follow-Up

By MrPeabody on 5/21/2009 12:52:48 PM , Rating: 5

How mature is this algorithm? For lack of a better phrase, can it be Googlebombed? How difficult would it be for a clever fellow at Google to play the algorithm in such a way that he's flagged as "Critical To Business/Resignation Imminent"?

There's a Googlescheme for the employees.

Employee 1: "Did you get a raise this year?"
Employee 2: "No. So I browsed a lot of job sites and logged a lot of overtime, and was able to finagle a Googleraise."
Employee 1: "Congratulations! I'm Googlejealous."
Employee 2: "Don't be. Googleraise is still in beta."

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RE: Hope to See a Follow-Up

By acase on 5/21/2009 12:53:19 PM , Rating: 1

That's when, as an employee, you act a little underappreciated and cash in on some raises or promotions! (or get fired depending on the strength of their algorithm on detecting bullshit I guess).

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Unknown?

By Souka on 5/21/2009 1:15:12 PM , Rating: 5

"Exactly what the formula looks at is unknown"

Let's see...Algorithm to determine who's likely to quit...

1. Bad performance reviews
2. Asked for a raise, but was denied
3. Reported having negative attitude
4. Denied promotion
5. Employee didn't receive bonus, but co-worker did (yet they work equally on same project)
6. Calling in sick more than in past history

If yes to x items, then:

All 6: Employee will quit this afternoon
to 5: Employee will likely quit soon
to 4: Employee will likely quit in month or so
to 3: Employee has less than 6 months left
to 2: Employee is content...
to 1: Employee probably won't leave
to 0: Employee is a lifer

RE: Unknown?

By acase on 5/21/2009 1:40:45 PM , Rating: 3

SHHHHHHHHHH! It's TOP SECRET!!!

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My research shows...

By gstrickler on 5/21/2009 6:05:45 PM , Rating: 2

quote:
but a lot of companies are waking up to the fact that there is a lot of modeling that can provide you with critical data on human capital."

...that companies are a lot more likely to keep their employees happy when they stop thinking of and referring to the employees as "human capital" and treat them as human beings.

RE: My research shows...

By Ozziedogg on 5/21/2009 6:39:48 PM , Rating: 2

........but that would be humane and ethical! remember, profit at all cost is the mantra.

the ideal company (particulaly in the minds of many around here) has 0 staff and 100% profit.

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RE: My research shows...

By ClownPuncher on 5/21/2009 7:19:50 PM , Rating: 2

Nothing a few hours in Room 101 won't cure.

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Now I know

By Daphault on 5/21/2009 12:00:33 PM , Rating: 2

I had been wondering what Charlie Eppes was doing since the season ended.

RE: Now I know

By acase on 5/21/2009 12:51:13 PM , Rating: 2

lol...first thing I thought as well!

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Schmidt advises - "you need to turn off your computer"

By crystal clear on 5/21/2009 12:23:32 PM , Rating: 2

Google Applies Algorithm to Answer Staffing Problems but their CEO says the opposite-

Google CEO Eric Schmidt told University of Pennsylvania graduates to turn off technology and look more toward the importance of people.
Speaking at Penn's commencement at Franklin Field in Philadelphia on Monday, Schmidt advised,

"you need to turn off your computer, turn off your phone, look at people who are near and around you and decide that humans are the most important things, not the other aspects,"

Schmidt also noted the differences between graduates today and those of his college days in the 1970s. "We had Tang. You had Red Bull. We had VCRs that held an hour of programming and cost $700. You have iPods that can upload 15 hours of videoin a minute. We didn't tell everyone about our most embarrassing moment; you record them and post them to Facebook and YouTube every day.

I'm so happy my record for misachievements isn't around for posterity.
I'm looking forward to yours to be there for many years."

http://www.crn.com/it-channel/217600152;jsessionid...

Google should use the Schmidt approach for a change.

RE: Schmidt advises - "you need to turn off your computer"

By mmatis on 5/21/2009 9:42:25 PM , Rating: 2

Yeah, like THAT's gonna happen!

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Stay outta my brain

By ZachDontScare on 5/21/2009 4:32:17 PM , Rating: 2

If an employer was running algorithms against my behavior in an attempt to 'get into my brain', so to speak, I'd save them the trouble and quit.

Google is run by Skynet

By Ozziedogg on 5/21/2009 5:18:47 PM , Rating: 2

Boss: " After crunching some numbers, our computer has determined that you masturbate far too much, vote republican, and more than likely own one or more Movies that have Steven Seagal in them. Here are your termination papers."
Worker: "......"