Travel company named as UK’s best employer

Online travel agent Expedia is the best place to work in the UK, according to an annual survey which ranks companies according to employee satisfaction.

EasyJet came 12^th, narrowly missing out on a top 10 place but beating long established employee favourite John Lewis.

In the US, Airbnb topped the list and airlines Delta and Southwest also made it into the top 25.

Expedia, which was ranked only 25^th in the UK last year, received a rating of 4.4 out of 5 from employees this year. They said the online travel agent had a ‘friendly work culture’ and a supportive management team.

Employees valued the firm for a number of perks, including free breakfasts once a month, and the fact that the work/life balance was seen as important.

EasyJet, which made the top 25 in the UK for the first time, received a rating of 3.9. Postive comments from employees included this from a member of its Stansted-based cabin crew: "The greatest thing about working for easyJet is the fact that no two days are the same, and each day is presented with new challenges. All staff are willing and always able to offer to help. Management are fantastic and really understanding."

This is the second year recruitment consultancy Glassdoor has included Best Places to Work in the UK in its annual Employee’ Choice Awards.

The awards are based on the input of employees who voluntarily provide anonymous feedback by completing a company review about their job, work environment and employer over the past year.

Hays Plc, AKQA, GE and Schuh complete the top five in the UK for 2016. The winners are determined using Glassdoor’s algorithm, taking into account the quality, quantity and consistency of Glassdoor-approved company reviews shared by UK-based employees over the past year.

Employers must have a minimum of 25 reviews.

Diarmuid Russell, head of international Glassdoor, said there were common themes for companies that made the list, including good training and development, an ability for staff to progress quickly, good pay, great facilities and a friendly culture and working environment.

Employees also cited diverse workplaces, international teams and smart colleagues as key attributes of a great place to work, he said.

"And of course for travel companies, there’s an additional unique benefit – the travel. Employees at all our winning travel employers cited staff travel benefits as one of the top pros of their job."

The full list of winners can be found on the Glassdoor website.