Microsoft, Tetra Pak and Futurice top list of best workplaces in Europe

Microsoft, Tetra Pak and Futurice have topped the list of the 2012 European Best Workplaces.

Great Place to Work, the global research, consulting and training firm, has listed 100 employers, chosen through a survey with more than 250,000 employees across 1,500 European organisations.

Microsoft was top pick in the multinational category, Tetra Pak’s Italian manufacturing facility was top pick in the large category, and Finnish IT firm Futurice was top in the small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) category.

Eighteen UK employers made the list. Organisations in the multinational category included: Microsoft (1), NetApp (2), Admiral Group (4), National Instruments (6), Quintiles (7), McDonald’s Restaurants (12), Autodesk (12), and EMC (19).

UK organisations in the large employer category included: Capital One Europe (8) and Beaverbrooks the Jewellers (24). UK organisations in the SME category included: Baringa Partners (5), Impact International (13), Twinings UK and Ireland (21), Virgo Health (29), UKFast (31), Brand Learning Partners (42), Lansons Communications (47), and Softcat (48).

Jose Tolovi, chairman of the board at Great Place to Work, said: “All organisations recognised on Great Place to Work’s 2012 European Best Workplaces have established trust-based work cultures that set the standard not only in Europe but around the world.

“This achievement is a testament to the strength of the organisations’ leadership and their commitment to building a great workplace regardless of country, industry or size.

“Whether economies are growing or under strain, these great organisations recognise the importance of a workplace culture based on trust, pride and camaraderie, and the positive impact this can have on business performance.”

Tom O’Byrne, chief executive at Great Place to Work in the UK said: “I am delighted that so many of our country’s best workplaces have now been recognised as Europe’s best workplaces too.

“This is indeed a tremendous achievement, particularly in a year of unprecedented competition among the participants. We’d like to thank and congratulate all the leaders, managers and employees for continuing to champion the cause of creating and maintaining a great workplace.”

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