I'm not sold that Microsoft's bid for Yahoo is a great idea, despite that fact that it will vastly improve the search capabilities of MSN. And it gives us a good competitor to Google, who I'm not sure is a better company to hold all that search data. If anything, I'd just like to see them both slugging it out and forced to share the market.
In any case, it appears that Microsoft is thinking ahead and looking to keep some of the Yahoo talent and not just buy the technology and properties. They're considering setting aside a large amount of money to ensure that they retain employees.
Now I'm not naive enough to think that this $1.5 billion will be spread evenly among employees. However I don't think they're planning on spending much more than $1M on any particular person. Most of the highly paid (C-level executives) employees will probably be let go.
It could mean that a lot of the talented developers and other workers at Yahoo will not only keep their jobs, but perhaps get some type of bonus to stay with the company. It could be stock, but given the way both companies stock has moved over the last few years, I'd think that come cash payouts might be needed.
Whether you think this is a good idea or not, or if this will result in a better company, it's a good sign that one of the largest technology companies, and the most visible to our managers and HR people, is setting aside money to keep employees around. That alone is a good sign for employees and it should inspire some loyalty up in Redmond.
This is one article I'd definitely mention to your boss. He or she might not react, but you'll plant that seed that employees aren't just commodities. They are valued pieces of the company.
Steve Jones
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