14 DAY TRIAL // A survey conducted by global employer branding firm Universum and called “World’s Most Attractive Employers” crowns Google as the best company to work for, ahead of KPMG and Procter & Gamble.
Microsoft is only the fourth favorite employer across the world, despite the company’s effort to make its offices a more attractive working environment for its employees.
Cupertino-based firm Apple is only the eleventh company in this top, while Sony and IBM are placed on the 15th and 16th position, respectively.
Microsoft, on the other hand, is working really hard to keep its employees satisfied and the living proof is Steve Ballmer’s recent announcement that every employee would receive a gift pack of three different devices: a Windows 8 desktop/laptop computer, a Window 8 Phone and a Surface tablet featuring the new Windows 8.
What’s more, Dr. Joseph Williams, managing director for SaaS partners at Microsoft, revealed in a recent interview that Microsoft is no longer considering desks for its offices, but instead it tries to create workplaces that allow employees to do their work on the go.
“Instead of having a focus on desks, we had focuses on workspaces. The vast majority of Microsoft Sydney does their work in the cafeteria. They sit down and they talk through the day. Employee satisfaction has gone way up. People like working in this environment,” Williams explained.
Offering employees last-generation technology is also one of the best things to do because this way they can work on their projects wherever they are, said Williams.
Microsoft will spend $130 M (€99 M) on the 270,000 devices it wants to give to its employees, as the company currently has a workforce of more than 90,000 people worldwide.