In a move to prevent the defection of staff to competitors, Google Inc. is giving a 10 percent pay raise to all of its employees, U.S. media reported on Wednesday.
The pay hike, which will be given to the Internet company's entire work force of more than 23,000, is effective in January next year, The Wall Street Journal said in a report.
According to the newspaper, Google's chief executive officer Eric Schmidt disclosed the news in an email to employees, saying the company wants to lift morale and "continue to attract the best people to Google."
"We want to make sure that you feel rewarded for your hard work, " Schmidt wrote in the email, adding that the company was moving a portion of employees' bonuses into their base salaries.
Analysts pointed out that the latest decision highlights how important talent retention has become to Google, which is stepping up its fight with competitors such as Facebook to secure talented staff.
