Google is the world’s most reputable employer for the second consecutive year and, along with The LEGO Group and Microsoft, is one of only three companies to earn a strong global rating, according to the 2019 Global Workplace 100 released today by Reputation Institute. The largest reputation study of its kind, the 2019 Global Workplace 100 is based on 230,000 individual ratings collected in the first quarter of 2019.
While Google maintained its first-place ranking, perceptions of the company as a top employer declined since last year’s study. The company’s approach to issues such as military contracts, equitable treatment of contract workers, and the perceived mishandling of sexual harassment claims all contributed to Google’s diminished reputation as an employer. Still, the American multinational technology company out-performed other highly regarded companies to hold on to the top spot.
“Demonstrating concern for the health and well-being of employees is where many companies fall behind. Loss of employee trust is the result of broken promises whereas great companies understand that fairness and transparency are key to success,” said Kylie Wright-Ford, CEO of Reputation Institute, a technology-driven provider of reputation measurement and management services.
The top 10 among the 2019 Global Workplace 100 are:
- Google (NASDAQ: GOOGL)
- The LEGO Group
- Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT)
- Natura (BVMF: NATU3)
- Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO)
- Bosch (NSE: BOSCHLTD)
- Honeywell (NYSE: HON)
- Intel (NASDAQ: INTC)
- Rolls-Royce Aerospace (RYCEY: OTC US)
- Havaianas (ALPA3: B3)
Rising Stars and Underachievers
Other notable companies highlighted in the study include Amazon, whose middle-of-the-pack ranking suggests it has yet to recover from the 2015 New York Times article on its internal work climate. And Facebook, dogged by a loss of faith following a year of negative media coverage on data breaches, suffered the biggest drop and did not make this year’s workplace ranking list.
However, a number of rising stars, including technology company Cisco and beauty products manufacturer Mary Kay — which shows the biggest improvement in the “willingness to work for” category of all the companies measured — are reaping the benefits of building workplace cultures that foster inclusion while demonstrating concern for the health and well being of its employees.
“Our most recent data on the industry that has the highest “willingness to work” rating shows that the tech sector still shines with 7 out of the top 20 companies being in the tech industry, followed by the information industry and consumer.” Wright-Ford said.
2019 Global Workplace 100 Trends
Eight key trends impacting the workplace experience are highlighted in the 2019 Global Workplace 100 study:
- With a global unemployment rate of five percent, companies are competing harder for talent;
- Data is driving a revolution in HR in today’s fast-changing digital economy;
- Expectations of work are shifting toward a workplace where mental health and purpose-driven work take priority;
- Companies must adapt to the multi-generation workplace;
- Millennials are no longer a workforce minority;
- The technology-native Gen Z make up the newest segment of the global workforce;
- Company-motivated volunteerism has been proven to reduce turnover; and
- A new era of employee activism is pushing companies to take a stand.
