Oxfam, Google or Easyjet: The 25 best companies in the UK for a new job in 2016

People looking for a new job in 2016 might consider working at non-governmental organisation Oxfam or recruitment firm Hays. Based on reviews given by employees, those are among the best places to work in the UK, recruitment website Glassdoor has found.

Oxfam, as well as GE, Schuh and AKQA, debuted this year as a top workplaces in the UK. Google slipped from number one to rank at eighth, making it one of the few companies to get onto the list two years in a row.

Glassdoor has also listed the top US workplaces and best small and medium businesses to work for. Round-ups for France, Germany and Canada are also available on its website.

"The Glassdoor Employees' Choice Awards are the only workplace awards that recognise employers where people love to work solely based on the authentic voice of those who really know a company best – the employees," Glassdoor co-founder and CEO Robert Hohman said.

"For anyone hoping to find a job and company they love, these companies stand tallest for providing outstanding work environments and company cultures."

The best places to work are picked using a proprietary algorithm which takes quantity, quality and consistency of company reviews into account. Reviews considered are from between 3 November 2014 until 1 November 2015.

Below are the 25 best places to work in the UK, as provided by Glassdoor.

1. Expedia

Company Rating: 4.4

"Strong, friendly work culture. Work life balance is seen as very important by all. Very supportive management team. So many perks! Free breakfast once a month, travel, health etc." – Expedia Finance Manager (London).

2. Hays plc

Company Rating: 4.4

"Hays is an amazing company to work for. It is a friendly environment, great for progression and opportunities for your career. Training Programmes and their careers fare are very insightful and made me choose Hays! If you don't believe me come see for yourself." – Hays Travel Administrator (London).

3. AKQA

Company Rating: 4.2

"Great projects, fun corporate events, nice touches like free fruit and snacks, top management, enjoyable work environment with on-site gym and training, awesome client list." – AKQA Web Developer (London).

4: GE

Company Rating: 4.2

"Training first class, challenging assignments, strong senior leadership with critical structure for finance." – GE Site Leader (Cheltenham).

5: Schuh Limited

Company Rating: 4.1

"Good pay for a high street store. Very flexible ideal for students. Good discounts. Great people. Good management. Latest technology making it easier to assist customers." – Schuh Limited Employee (London).

6: Oxfam

Company Rating: 4.1

"With a few employers to compare against Oxfam is truly a great place to work. With such a huge range of business and programme activities I'm amazed at how it operated together, and how everybody felt they had a stake in the success of the organisation. From top to bottom people were really committed to doing their best for the organisation." – Oxfam Executive (Oxford).

7. ARM Holdings

Company Rating: 4.1

"Good work/life balance. Technically challenging and fascinating work. Innovation and proactivity recognised and rewarded. Very friendly. Some very, very bright people!" – ARM Holdings Employee (Cambridge).

8. Google

Company Rating: 4.1

"Career-wise this is a great place to work. There are opportunities for anyone who is willing to build a reputation. The work itself, the smart people and the perks: a Japanese restaurant serving up Asian food every day for free!" – Google Senior Software Engineer (London).

9. Unilever

Company Rating: 4.0

"Improved performance focus over the last couple of years. Cross-functional working and team development are high priorities. Great leadership and clarity of vision. Work life balance and flexible working are brilliant." – Unilever Category Manager (Leatherhead, Surrey).

10. London Underground

Company Rating: 4.0

"They protect their employees, fair and consistent and very good salaries." – London Underground IM Training Coordinator (London).

11. PageGroup

Company Rating: 3.9

"A brilliantly driven business with an engaging and open senior leadership team, no ivory towers here and a business that career hungry, driven and talented individuals can thrive in. A rewarding environment where employees can earn good money and get the career recognition they deserve." – PageGroup Manager (Reading).

12. easyJet

Company Rating: 3.9

"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." – easyJet Cabin Crew (Stanstead).

13. Arup

Company Rating: 3.9

"Fantastic team, a truly principled leadership and a very flexible work environment." – Arup Fire Engineer (Sheffield).

14. Amec Foster Wheeler

Company Rating: 3.9

"Management are flexible and treat staff like adults. Always a good atmosphere and broad range of staff." – Amec Foster Wheeler Engineer (Glasgow, Scotland).

15. Royal Dutch Shell

Company Rating: 3.9

"Great culture, smart but supportive and collaborative bunch of colleagues. Generally fair treatment of employees. Super transparent and open even in most sensitive topics." – Royal Dutch Shell Mid Senior Manager (London).

16: John Lewis

Company Rating: 3.9

"As every employee of the firm is considered a partner, everyone gets a say in how the business is run. This can be minute details to the christmas advert but all partner opinions are vitally important." – John Lewis Stock Management Partner, (London).

17. J.P. Morgan

Company Rating: 3.9

"Great leadership and one of the best Banks to work for. Good Salary and work life balance. Would highly recommend." – J.P. Morgan Executive Director (Bournemouth).

18. Cisco Systems

Company Ratings: 3.9

"Cisco genuinely cares for the society and works towards the betterment and upbringing of the society, which is one of the best things I like about Cisco." – Cisco Help Desk Analyst (Reading).

19. Goldman Sachs

Company Ratings: 3.9

"There are many resources available to develop your technical and interpersonal skills. You are working with very smart people and there are opportunities for those who are adaptable." –Goldman Sachs Vice President (London).

20. Credit Suisse

Company Ratings: 3.9

"Credit Suisse has a great culture for pushing employees to do their best while still being very friendly. There is politics but I've found it to be minimal." – Credit Suisse Business Analyst (London).

21. PwC

Company Ratings: 3.8

"Strong emphasis on development and especially self-directed development. Very easy to manoeuvre into the industry you most enjoy, which makes it easier that not might appear to carve out a niche for yourself." – PwC Associate (London).

22. Yell

Company Ratings: 3.8

"The training is second to none and they take you from starting point to a highly knowledgeable digital marketing consultant with an in depth knowledge of the marketplace at great pace." – Yell Digital Marketing Consultant (Belfast, Northern Ireland)

23. Procter & Gamble

Company Ratings: 3.8

"Plenty of training opportunities and a dynamic career progression throughout the company. Global reach helps you get exposure to different ways of working." – Proctor & Gamble Employee (location n/a).

24. Kantar Worldpanel

Company Ratings: 3.8

"The whole business from CEO down appear to be people focused and compared to other organisations in the market research industry this certainly seems to be backed up by actions." –Kantar Worldpanel employee (London).

25. Waitrose

Company Ratings: 3.8

"We are like a big family and there are always people to talk to and are willing to help you. I can honestly say I don't see my shift as another day at work instead it's a day with another one of my families! I wouldn't swap my job here for the world." – Waitrose Customer Service (Bristol).