Google HR chief Liane Hornsey this morning spoke of the importance of leadership as the internet search giant was crowned best place to work in the UK.
Polling high in ‘trust of management’, ‘collaborative structure’ and providing a ‘fun and friendly’ environment, Google was placed number one by the Great Place to Work Institute, following employee surveys of 1.5 million workers across 4,000 organisations.
Speaking at the ceremony in London, Hornsey, HR director for EMEA Google, told an audience of senior HR professionals and business leaders that workplace culture flows from managers.
“Leadership is really, really crucial for setting the tone and the work culture in the organisation,” she told Personnel Today. “It’s our experience that people thrive when they’re allowed to work in their own way and in their own time.”
Microsoft took top honours for Europe, but failed to register as one of the UK’s top 50 workplaces.
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Google was the sole technology company to make the top 10, with competition coming from charity Asthma UK, energy solutions provider Structure Group, and healthcare company Novo Nordisk.
Initiatives from Google include providing free meals at all times of the day for its staff, and giving workers free bicycles to encourage fitness and raise awareness of green issues.
