Looking for a new job? Invest in a better work life and discover the UK’s top twenty companies to work for this year
Words Joy Montgomery
We all dream of the one – the one job that is. A job that offers a good work-life balance, attractive benefits, room for progression and a welcoming office culture. Although there is no such thing as the ‘perfect’ company, there are certainly places that stand out from the rest. When applying for jobs, however, it can be hard to know where to look – the sheer number of choice can feel overwhelming.
To help you on your way, careers website glassdoor.co.uk have released a list of the best places to work 2017. Ranked by employee satisfaction, the list reveals which companies have excelled in this area and include first hand ‘reviews’ from current workers. Travel company Expedia have topped the list for the second year in a row, commended for its opportunities, benefits and support. Meanwhile, search giant Google – long heralded for its employee perks – now sits at number 13, after being knocked off the top spot two years ago. First-timers on the list include HomeServe UK, Peninsula and Salesforce – all coming in the top ten. Let the job hunt begin…
Scroll down and discover the top 20 companies…
1. Expedia
Company Rating: 4.3 out of 5
Employee review: “Amazing leaders, very accessible and communicating a lot with all employees. Flexible environment (cope easily with having children or other lifetime events).” – Area Manager, London.
2. ARM Holdings
Company Rating: 4.3 out of 5
Employee review: “The atmosphere in the company is really great. I see everybody keen to help each other and lots of new cool technology stuff every day. There are lots of internal training opportunities and a whole bunch of internal sessions about new technologies being developed.” – Software Engineer.
3. HomeServe UK
Company Rating: 4.3 out of 5
Employee review: “It’s an exciting, dynamic, growing company. The focus on customers and employees, makes it impossible for you not to thrive here (unless you don’t want to thrive, of course). I’ve had 3.5 great years and am proud of what the company has done, but also proud of what I’ve contributed personally.” – Senior Digital Marketing Manager.
4. Mott MacDonald
Company Rating: 4.3 out of 5
Employee review: “A firm that you join for a career and not a job. The fact that the firm is owned by the senior staff makes a real difference. Always looking to make the right decisions for the future.” – Mott MacDonald employee.
5. Hays Plc
Company Rating: 4.3 out of 5
Employee review: “The working environment is fantastic – fast paced, fun and exciting. Rewards are excellent, the commission schemes really promote high performance and the incentives are brilliant.” – director.
6. Peninsula
Company Rating: 4.2 out of 5
Employee review: “I have found that Peninsula recognises, in most cases its employees are its greatest asset and the company tries hard to retain those who are motivated and demonstrate their achievements through a high standard of training and incentives.” – safety technical adviser.
7. Unilever
Company Rating: 4.2 out of 5
Employee review: “Flexible working hours along with a team full of friendly people who want you to learn as much as possible is the best part about it. Each Brand Manager also loves their brand personally which makes them put so much effort into their work.” – assistant brand manager.
8. Salesforce
Company Rating: 4.2 out of 5
Employee review: “I joined as an experience architect but without experience of Salesforce. My first 90 days at the company were an educational ramp programme designed to immerse me in all the offerings of Salesforce. Really helped me to get up to speed.” – programme architect.
9. Screwfix
Company Rating: 4.2 out of 5
Employee review: “There are countless pros. Real team spirit, fantastic opportunities to progress and make a career for yourself (note, this does not include slackers!), great customer base, supportive staff and managers. In company training in health and safety, first aid and city and guilds in retail management.” – customer service supervisor.
10. First Derivatives
Company Rating: 4.2 out of 5
Employee review: “There are incredible opportunities for travel. You could be sent to Singapore, New York, London, Sydney… The potential is endless. And with the great expenses package this is very appealing.” – financial engineer
11. American Express
Company Rating: 4.2 out of 5
Employee review: “A very relationship based culture, inclusive and diverse. Good benefits, great Flexibility and development opportunities in a multinational environment.” – American Express employee
12. Grant Thornton UK LLP
Company Rating: 4.1 out of 5
Employee review: “My 2.5years at Grant Thornton have been really positive from the start. I work with really great people both in my local offer and more widely across the firm. With the firm now under the leadership of Sacha Romanovitch I feel that I work in a really positive environment and can see how my work contributes to both helping the firm grow, as well as having a positive impact on the local economy around me.” – Senior Business Development Executive
13. Google
Company Rating: 4.1 out of 5
Employee review: “Absolutely love working for google, been my dream for a young age. Food is great, people are great, the work is challenging and the pay is very good.” – Events associate
14. Explore Learning
Company Rating: 4.1 out of 5
Employee review: “It’s great that the working hours for a tutor can be flexible to meet your needs as well as the way that tutors are expected to work. Tutors get sufficient experience and managers are awesome.” –
15. Accenture
Company Rating: 4.1 out of 5
Employee review: “Huge diversity in roles and opportunities for the consulting business. I have literally traveled the world and experienced a varied work experience that I don’t think is possible in other companies.” –
16. PageGroup
Company Rating: 4.1 out of 5
Employee review: “Throughout my career, I have always felt challenged, rewarded and proud to work for a business like PageGroup. There are countless opportunities to progress into management, work overseas or earn serious money in a billing role, whilst being recognised for achievements and seniority.” – Associate Director
17. GlaxoSmithKline
Company Rating: 4.1 out of 5
Employee review: “Good solid FTSE100 company with a values based culture. Corp HQ with a good range of facilities from gym to restaurant.” –
18. BBC
Company Rating: 4.1 out of 5
Employee review: “The BBC is moving their digital business forward at an extremely fast pace. There are always interesting new projects to get involved with.” – Senior Web Developer
19. Centrica
Company Rating: 4.0 out of 5
Employee review: “The people are great to work with and pay is in line with industry benchmark. There are also opportunities and development opportunities for anybody with the tenacity to chase it.” – Senior Procurement Manager
20. Nando’s UK
Company Rating: 4.0 out of 5
Employee review: “Social, flexible, seasonal parties, daily food allowance, laid back, well above minimum wage, quarterly bonus scheme and achievable progression.” – Second Assistant Manager
