The best places to work in Britain named – and Rentokil ranks higher than Apple

How do you decide where the best place to work is? Ask its employees. 

That's exactly what Jobs Site Glassdoor has been doing – looking at anonymous reviews submitted by people working at firms across the UK it's managed to come up with a list of the 50 best places to work in the UK right now.

"To help people find companies that stand out from the pack, the Glassdoor Employees’ Choice Awards recognise employers that are truly best places to work because they’re determined by those who really know best - the employees,” said Glassdoor chief executive Robert Hohman.

Employees were asked to say what they thought was good and bad about their job, as well as their opinions about the company and management. They were also asked if they'd recommend working there to a friend. 

Once it was all put together, these are the companies that were found to be the very best to work for in Britain:

 1. Google

 “Culture - sharing culture where everyone in different departments will work collaboratively. People - excellent, bright, ambitious individuals to work with. Salary - good high salary. Benefits - this includes food, medical, dental, travel expenses, stock.” — Google Partner Marketing Manager (London, England) “Exciting company, tons of opportunities and amazing people.” — Google Employee (London, England) 

2. Anglian Wate

“Anglian Water really does put its employees at the heart of what it does. If you are looking for job satisfaction, reward and enjoyment, this is an ideal company to work for.” — Anglian Water Asset Group Manager (East of England, England) 

3. Bromford

“Colleagues with positive attitudes, development opportunities, flexible working approach, great systems and the right tools to do the job all in a supportive environment.” — Bromford Employee (Birmingham, England) 

4. Facebook

 “Everyone on the team is driven by an absolute ambition to make the world a better a place. The teams are collaborative, creative and welcoming to new ideas. The company is driven by impact and moving fast, so if you've got an idea you've got room to make a real impact.” — Facebook Creative Strategist (London, England) 

5. Salesforce

 “Extremely flexible, challenging in a good way, extremely innovative. A great internal support structure, decent transparency for a large organization. This is a group of VERY intelligent, very motivated people.” — Salesforce Solutions Engineer (London, England) 

6. Lookers

 “They hire the right people, who are friendly and very proactive. The investment in their people is hard to rival and no two days are ever the same!” — Lookers Employee (Manchester, England) 

7. Rentokil Initial

“Excellent training programme for Sales and Service staff across all businesses under the Rentokil Initial umbrella. Opportunities for staff progression and promotion as part of the talent for tomorrow. Excellent incentives and staff recognition acknowledgements for outstanding achievements.” — Rentokil Initial Administrative Employee (Camberley, England) 

8. Hiscox

 “Engaging, intelligent people surrounding you and opportunities to develop yourself with driven, bright people that have been successful in their careers with Hiscox. Lots of autonomy, you are treated like an adult and trusted to get your job done.” — Hiscox Employee (Colchester, England) 

9. Apple

 “Great HR team, they adapt to your own person very quickly and are very considerate in regards to help when you need it. Acknowledgement for achievements is second to none.” — Apple Technical Specialist (London, England) 

10. HomeServe UK

 “A very special culture. A lot of businesses claim to have created a "family like" feel. HomeServe truly has. I have a real sense of belonging, people at all levels genuinely care about the customers and each other.” — HomeServe UK Marketing Manager (Walsall, England)

11. Capital One

 “Great work/life balance due to flexible working plus fantastic benefits. Company is full of really talented individuals that aid collaboration and make project work enjoyable. It also helps lead to a really inspirational working culture.” — Capital One Visual Designer (Nottingham, England) 

12. Screwfix

 “Great expansion plans and progression opportunities. Positive vibe and infectiously happy environment that rewards progressive thinking and promotes team engagement.” — Screwfix Branch Manager (London, England) 

13. Yell

 “The training is second to none, I have been employed for nearly 4 months and am still deemed as being in the training period. This support and understanding of potential shortfalls in my knowledge gives so much confidence and a feeling of security to go out there and do the best for the business.” — Yell Digital Account Manager (Hull, England) 

14. Expedia

 “Great inclusive working culture based on mutual respect and the desire to bring the company forward through the power of technology. Decisions are made based on data/evidence based. Excellent work/life balance.” — Expedia Senior Manager (London, England) 

15. Taylor Wimpey

 “They reward effort. Terms are reasonable and the overall package of benefits is excellent. Management structure is great, everyone is part of the same team.” — Taylor Wimpey Director (Bristol, England) 

16. Rentalcars.com 

“Great work environment, really feel like I have a voice within the company. Benefits are constantly being reviewed to improve employee retainment. Very Agile and Tech focused.” — Rentalcars.com Software Engineering Team Leader (Manchester, England) 

17. Sky Betting & Gaming

 “There's a jam-packed 3 year roadmap with lots of interesting work to do.The people are friendly, open and collaborative. If you want to, you can learn a lot here.” — Sky Betting & Gaming Software Engineering Manager (Leeds, England) 

18. Procter & Gamble 

“Surrounded by intelligent, like-minded individuals, who are passionate about their work. Flexible work environment. P&G really does stay true to their motto of being a family company.” — Procter & Gamble UK&I Commercials Operations Manager (Weybridge, England) 

19. Royal London

 “I've been at Royal London for a while now. It's a company with a clear and admirable ethos. The people are what make it such an enjoyable place to work and I can also say there's a healthy work/life balance.” — Royal London Marketing Manager (London, England) 

20. Explore Learning

 “One of the values at Explore is to have a 'family feel' both for members but also between staff, it is this that I love the most. I feel so valued and supported in everything I do, and have been able to progress through the company with several promotions.” — Explore Learning Regional Manager (London, England) 

21. PageGroup

 “Page encourages continuous development and contribution from all employees and tries to make it fun. In my experience the senior leaders support their people where and when they need it, and it works.” — PageGroup Manager (London, England) 

22. Helping Hands Home Care

 “Working for a family company means that you always have a voice, innovations and positive changes are welcome and can be implemented relatively quickly. The company is expanding rapidly and that means there are plenty of opportunities to contribute and grow with it.” — Helping Hands Home Care Training Team Employee (Alcester, England) 

23. Harrods

 “Harrods provides an amazing benefits package and employees are recognised and rewarded. There is plenty of opportunity to progress as well as a great support unit across the business.” — Harrods Employee (London, England) 

24. Microsoft

 “Microsoft is the best place I've worked for. Very encouraging environment, great internal systems, very positive vibe. Work life balance is awesome.” — Microsoft Senior Solution Specialist (London, England) 

25. Arm

 “Arm is jam-packed with very smart people who are exceptionally motivated to do what is right for Arm's customers and colleagues are always helpful and supportive. Benefits are great and whilst salary was falling behind peers a couple of years back, recent corrections have made it competitive. On top of base salary, other cash benefits make the total package way more than I could get anywhere else.” — Arm Employee (Cambridge, East of England, England) 

26. American Express

 “Flexible, dynamic, and fun and exciting place to work with the opportunity to progress. Given the chance to work from home and travel to clients.” — American Express Account Development Manager (London, England) 

27. Rolls-Royce

 “Broad exposure of business sectors, plenty of opportunity to move around the company if you are willing to try and very nice colleagues to work with.” — Rolls-Royce Finance Manager (Derby, England) 

28. XPO Logistics

 “Fast-paced, energetic, committed business where "Results Matter" in everything we do. People centric environment where Human Capital is recognised as the only asset that will make the business successful in everything we do.” — XPO Logistics Account Director (Bradford, Yorkshire and the Humber, England) 

29. Nando's UK

 “Great vibe and diverse culture of people to interact with. Allowed to bring new ideas to the table at meetings or in face to face discussions with management.” — Nando's UK Restaurant Manager (London, England) 

30. Peninsula

 “Positive work environment aimed at supporting people to reach their true earning potential. Great benefits such as 25 days holiday plus bank holidays.” - Peninsula Business Sales Team Employee (Manchester, England) 

31. Capgemini 

“You stand or fall on your own merits - and there is training, support and resources to help. Great people who are happy to share; a truly collaborative environment.” — Capgemini Architect (Woking, England) 

32. J.P. Morgan

 “Great people, very open to communication and teaching people. Not judgemental, a work-together attitude and environment. A great company to start or develop your career from.” — J.P. Morgan Finance Associate (London, England) 

33. Civica

 “They are a very flexible company, employees are treated as individuals and agile working is totally embraced, trusting people to do their job from an office, home, customer sites, cafes, wherever suits them at that time. It really does help the work-life balance.” — Civica Employee (Bristol, England) 

34. GlaxoSmithKline

 “Constant strive to work in a way that is more inclusive, more inspiring, more courageous for all employees. A genuine belief that we are doing work that changes the world for the better. Even if that world is only one person.” — GlaxoSmithKline Lbp (Brentford, England) 

35. O2

 “Professional working environment, employees treated with respect and trusted. Flexible working, great culture and excellent benefits and salary package.” — O2 Employee (Slough, Berkshire, South East England, England) 

36. Colt Technology Services

“Plenty of experiences and opportunities if willing to embrace the Colt culture. Great visibility all the way up to Senior Management. Friendly environment where we are challenged daily.” — Colt Technology Services Enterprise Risk and Assurance Associate (London, England) 

37. Goldman Sachs

 “Good teamwork and collaborative environment. Work with really nice and competent people as the Organisation does not carry people. People are respectful to one another.” — Goldman Sachs Executive Director (London, England) 

38. Hays

“Working at Hays has been a fantastic career building opportunity for me. There are always great job prospects and new opportunities to build on knowledge and experience across many different areas of the business. This coupled with the many social and charity events that are actively encouraged, help build a sense of community within the company.” — Hays Finance Manager (New Malden, England) 

39. Gartner 

“If you enjoy working for a growth company with a no limits mind set then Gartner is the place to be. Very talented people work here and the sales training is exceptional! Your colleagues want you to be successful and the opportunity for development and growth is unparalleled!” — Gartner Account Manager (Egham, England) 

40. UBS 

“The people are great, benefits are very good. Working environment is very modern and flexible.” — UBS Chief of Staff (London, England) 

41. EasyJet 

“The company is always growing and evolving - no day is ever the same. There are tones of opportunities for everyone to experience new ways of working, cultures, job roles etc. We all share the same ambition to be the best we can be.” — easyJet Team Manager (Luton, East of England, England) 

42. Unilever 

“Brilliant work life balance and flexibility, real investment in people, employees feel valued and appreciated, and as such rewarded for the work they do. In turn creates fantastic culture and ways of working within motivational teams and departments, everyone stays close to one another, wellbeing is prioritised and sustainability highly encouraged.” — Unilever Assistant HRBP (London, England) 

43. Waitrose 

“Nice working environment, good equipment, money’s not bad, hours are great, and the Management team in transport are friendly and approachable.” — Waitrose Hgv Driver (Aylesford, England) 

44. Capco 

“The people and culture. There is a great bunch of people in the Edinburgh Office who I learn from every day. Fun events like rock climbing, half marathons for charity, Edinburgh Festival fireworks from the office, summer party, team bowling, etc.” — Capco Managing Principal (London, England) 

45. Metro Bank 

“Metro Bank is completely different to anywhere I've previously worked. The culture is so different to other banks and so much better. Staff are empowered to "surprise and delight" customers. The company brings a breath of fresh air to banking and the growth of the bank is unparalleled. And the people who work here are, almost without exception, amazing too: very friendly, zesty, and obliging.” — Metro Bank Employee (London, England) 

46. Weight Watchers

A talented team of people that collaborate & co-create with success in mind. A great people leader in the GM, with a no compromise approach on delivering exceptional performance. A company that supports development & seeks out feedback that is listened to.” — Weight Watchers Senior Area Manager (London, England) 

47. SAP 

“I joined SAP as a result of an acquisition and can honestly say that during the span of my working career, 36 years, it ranks as one of the best companies I have worked for. Why? It gives opportunities. It listens. It is open. It strives to be the best. It is caring. It has morals.” — SAP Pre sales (London, England) 

48. Schuh Limited 

“Excellent progression from sales advisors to management, and movement around the country. Plenty of training courses for management. In hours training for staff. Great feeling of fun and team enjoyment. Schuh encourages your personality to come out!” — Schuh Limited Senior Deputy Manager (Glasgow, Scotland) 

49. GE 

“Great culture of continuous improvement and self accountability. The management style is the complete opposite to that of other UK companies. Politics is cut through by bottom line performance. Great benefits package.” — GE Lead Engineer (Stafford, England) 

50. PwC 

“Development opportunities, allowed to use initiative to solve problems, clear line of promotion, personal benefits and lots of incentives available.” — PwC Resource Officer (Edinburgh, Scotland)