To identify the best employers in the UK, Statista conducted an extensive online employee survey among 15,000 workers in more than 1600 UK-based firms with at least 500 workers. Respondents were asked a series of questions about job satisfaction; most critically, whether they would recommend their current employer – or a competitor – to a potential employee. To ensure anonymity and the survey’s independence, none of the companies were informed beforehand.

Key findings include:

– 70% of the best employers within the top 50 are British firms, including the top three, Jaguar Land Rover, AstraZeneca and Harrods.
– Employees in the Manufacturing sector, which makes up 42% of the top 50 ranking with Dyson, Rolls-Royce Group and JCB leading the group, were highly satisfied with their employer.
– The Retail and Wholesale industry makes up 14% of the top 50 ranking and features Harrods, Lush and Pets at Home Group in the top three spots.
– Microsoft, Nike and Google lead the US companies within the top 50 which make up 12%.
– Microsoft is the only technology firm in the top 15 of the full ranking, with Google in second place, ranked 16th.
– Employees working in the Professional Services industry are the most likely to recommend their employer, while employees in Government Services are the least likely.

 
The survey took place between 6 and 25 October 2015. The complete list of 400 firms across 25 industry sectors and the methodology can be found at the Bloomberg Best Employers UK 2016 site.