Microsoft – Best Multinational Workplace


28 Oct 2011

Paul Rellis, managing director, Microsoft Ireland (top of the '1', on the left), and CEO of Great Place to Work Ireland, John Ryan (top of the '1', on the right), celebrate with Microsoft Ireland employees

Microsoft has been deemed Best Multinational Workplace in the world, in Great Place to Work’s inaugural list of the Top 25 World’s Best Multinational Workplaces.

Microsoft employs more than 1,000 people in Ireland. A gala awards ceremony at the New York Stock Exchange last night announced the company as the No 1 global workplace.

Microsoft Ireland has been the winner of Best Place to Work in Ireland for the last three years running.

The World’s Best Multinational Workplaces – top 25 global companies:

1.      Microsoft

2.      SAS

3.      NetApp

4.      Google

5.      FedEx Express

6.      Cisco

7.      Marriott

8.      McDonald’s

9.      Kimberley-Clark

10.     SC Johnson

11.     Diageo

12.     American Express

13.     Medtronic

14.     Intel

15.     Hilti

16.     3M

17.     Telefónica

18.     National Instruments

19.     Mars

20.     Accenture

21.     Roche

22.     Novo Nordisk

23.     The Coca-Cola Company

24.     Atento

25.     Quintiles

Google and FedEx Express join Microsoft in the top 5 on the list. McDonald’s, Marriott and Cisco also have significant operations in Ireland and rank in the top 10 global workplaces.

“After three years of Microsoft Ireland being recognised as the best place to work in Ireland it’s a great honour to be recognised at a global level,” said Paul Rellis, managing director, Microsoft Ireland.

“At Microsoft, we invest in and encourage our employees to develop next-generation ideas and technologies that will someday change the world. Our working environment fosters an environment where intelligent, innovative, motivated and passionate people thrive.

“We’ve always believed that a great place to work is as relevant in an economic downturn as it is when times are good,” Rellis added.

“There’s a common misconception that focusing on this area is a ‘nice to have’ rather than a critical element of what makes a company successful. Our view is that a great workplace is a business imperative. A healthy and happy workforce is a productive workforce and is focused on the customer.

A lot of hard work goes into ensuring there’s a good work environment in Microsoft, said Rellis.

“We’re constantly accessing our progress and making sure we’re on the right track, not becoming complacent. I’d like to thank The Great Place to Work Institute for their continuous insight and advice which helps us to ensure Microsoft is continually aiming to be a better place to work. We’re looking forward to maintaining the high standards which we’re delivering at the moment for our workforce.”

The work of Great Place to Work

The Great Place to Work Institute has produced the Fortune 100 List of Best Companies in the United States and now recognises leading workplaces in some 45 countries, with Great Place to Work Ireland set to publish its tenth annual list in February next.

The World’s Best Multinational Workplaces List is the first integrated look at survey data from employees and managers from thousands of companies across six continents, making it the world’s largest annual study of workplace excellence.

CEO of Great Place to Work Ireland, John Ryan, said this announcement helps position Ireland at centre stage among the world’s best workplaces.

“This list recognises global organisations that have demonstrated a truly serious commitment to creating workplaces that foster high levels of trust, pride and camaraderie amongst their employees leading to high performance,” said Ryan.

“For Ireland to be home to operations of 18 of the top 25 world’s best places to work is really significant. This acts as a magnet to organisations considering locating to Europe and importantly it assists Ireland-based organisations in attracting projects and investment from their global headquarters. 

“The knock-on effect of this is major expansion and economic benefits that bring increased employment and tax revenues and boost the local economy. From an employee viewpoint, being part of a great place to work means that you trust the people managing the organisation, you are consulted on decisions that affect you, your contribution is valued and your efforts are recognised. This drives high levels of pride in your role and the part you play in achieving your organisation’s goals,” Ryan added.