Google algorithm searches for quitters

SEARCH OUTFIT Google claims to have come up with an algorithm to figure out which of its employees are most likely to quit so it can make sure they are chased down the beach by a large plastic balloon before they escape.

As reported by the Wall Street Journal, Google is worried about a brain drain and developed an algorithm to look at data from employee reviews and promotion and pay histories to try to identify which of its 20,000 employees are likely to leave.

Human resources person Laszlo Bock told the Journal the algorithm helps the company "get inside people's heads even before they know they might leave."

Of course once the algorithm identifies the people, Google seems to be unable to keep them anyway. Recent top departures from Google have included Tim Armstrong, David Rosenblatt, and Sukhinder Singh Cassidy.

Lead designer Doug Bowman, engineering director Steve Horowitz and search-quality chief Santosh Jayaram have also headed out. µ