Where are next year's best places to work?

Updated
free and relax of businessman under blue sky
free and relax of businessman under blue sky



What makes for a great place to work? For most of us, it's a blend of interesting projects, a supportive environment, a good work-life balance - and perhaps some great perks.

Jobs website Glassdoor has polled the views of 1,000 British workers, and come up with a list of the 25 best places to work in the UK. Some are household names, while others are companies you may well never have heard of.

We look at what makes each one so great.

1. Expedia
Travel website Expedia tops the list of employers for its 'strong, friendly work culture' and generous pay package - which includes hotel discounts and other travel benefits. Last year, the company scraped into the list at number 25, but has now shot to the top.

"Fun, vibrant, amazing offices in London, good people, team spirit," says one ex-employee. "Discount on hotels and deals - great opportunity to move up and across countries."

2. Hays
Recruitment firm Hays - whose score is only a hair behind Expedia's - is praised particularly for its excellent training opportunities, as well as its work-hard-play-hard atmosphere.

"Great work culture and environment. Provides great training and support for your personal and professional career with fast-track promotion potential," says a current staffer. "Also has amazing global opportunities for employees to transfer to any country where Hays have offices to progress your career further."

3. AKQA
Digital agency AKQA gets a high score from its employees for its friendly environment, good work-life balance and exciting clients. There are good opportunities for career progression, they say.

"Great projects, fun corporate events, nice touches like free fruit and snacks, top management, enjoyable work environment with on-site gym and training, awesome client list," says one.

4. GE
Multinational GE is a rather more traditional place to work, with staff highlighting career opportunities rather than work-life balance. While the hours are long, staff praise the benefit package and say the training is first-class.

"Got given a great deal of responsibility working on a major project. It was a great opportunity to learn project management and leadership skills," says one former employee.

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5. Schuh Limited
Shoe chain Schuh pays a little better than most stores, and workers say it's great for flexibility - as well as giving a whacking 40% staff discount. Managers are said to be enthusiastic and kind.

"I worked at Schuh for almost six years on weeknights/weekends throughout college and university. The managers where always kind and upbeat and very enthusiastic about their stores and staff. It was the perfect part time job to have!" says one.

6. Oxfam
Charities aren't always the friendly, inclusive environments you'd expect - but Oxfam gets a high score for its cooperative atmosphere and sense of teamwork. While the pay isn't great - it rarely is at charities - Oxfam also scores highly for its flexible working hours.

"From top to bottom, people were really committed to doing their best for the organisation. That really permeated to the individual," says one employee. "It was an encouraging and inspiring environment to be in, and everybody had the chance to contribute their thoughts."

7. ARM
Cambridge-based ARM, which makes the microchips used in most mobile phones, is praised by employees for its learning opportunities and friendliness and the technical challenges of the work.

"As a company, ARM has a relatively flat hierarchy that allows for a good flow of communication," says one staffer. "With the new ARM Feedback and Development System that is being implemented, you'll have even more of an opportunity to engage in frequent conversation with your line manager about your career growth."

8. Google
It's quite a surprise to see Google only at eighth on the list - it tends to top employee polls. This time, it seems to be the long hours culture dragging it down. But it still gets rave reviews from staff for its buzzy atmosphere and amazing perks.

"Great people, always stimulating - talks, guest speakers and interesting things going on, [both] connected to your work and unrelated - amazing benefits," says one long-term staffer. "Fast-paced, still seems on the cutting edge despite there being lots of younger exciting tech/media companies about now. A company to feel proud of."

9. Unilever
Consumer goods multinational Unilever makes the list for its work-life balance and security, as well as the quality of leadership. Employees enjoy the opportunity to work on some of the world's biggest brands - although the company's huge size makes it a bit impersonal, say some.

"Space to grow, good opportunities in a fast-moving company," says one of the company's scientists. "Generally a stable, secure job. Ability to travel and work abroad."

10. London Underground
The pay is good, say London Underground staff, there's a 36-hour week and a great pension scheme - as well as free travel. On the downside, though, some talk of difficult managers.

"The company pulls off 'the daily miracle' through a set of passionate and skilled staff motivated to keep London moving," says one senior manager. "It looks after career development, the work life balance and ensures that the underdog is never downtrodden."

And the rest of the list:
11. Page Group
12. EasyJet
13. Arup
14. Amec Foster Wheeler
15. Royal Dutch Shell
16. John Lewis
17. JP Morgan
18. Cisco Systems
19. Goldman Sachs
20. Credit Suisse
21. PwC
22. Yell
23. Procter & Gamble
24. Kantar Worldpanel
25. Waitrose

Airbnb Tops Glassdoor's List of Best Workplaces
Airbnb Tops Glassdoor's List of Best Workplaces



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