Microsoft wins Global Randstad Award 2015 and is the most attractive employer worldwide

23 April 2015

Microsoft received the Global Randstad Award 2015 today, identifying Microsoft as the most attractive employer brand worldwide. 67.8% of the respondents in the Global Randstad Award survey indicate they would like to work for Microsoft. The first runner-up of the Global Randstad Award 2015 is Sony, the second runner-up is Samsung. The IT industry is the most popular sector to potential job seekers, men (69%) and women (70%) alike.

Randstad CEO Jacques van den Broek comments: "Congratulations to Microsoft: for the first time in the 15-year history of the Randstad Award, the winner scores #1 on all drivers of choice of potential job seekers! That is quite remarkable, considering the fierce competition of employers in finding and retaining talent, and IT professionals in particular."

Speaking at the awards ceremony, Stijn Nauwelaerts, general manager of human resources for Microsoft International said: "At Microsoft, we aspire to empower every individual and every organization on the planet to achieve more. It's an important mission, against which we will only make progress if our employees are set up to do their best work. We take this commitment - both to our employees and to our millions of customers around the world - very seriously, and we're particularly pleased to see Microsoft recognized as the #1 place to work for both women and men."

Drivers of choice
Globally, the most important drivers of choice according to all respondents are salary & employee benefits, long-term job security, and a pleasant working atmosphere. However, employers are not recognized for these drivers - the top 3 attributed to employers are financial health, strong management, and good training.

Stay or go?
The Randstad Award survey reveals that the most important reason why employees leave their employer is a limited career path. People who are considering to leave in the next 12 months mostly do so because of dissatisfaction with compensation. The most mentioned reason to stay however, is a good work-life balance.

About the Randstad Award survey
The Randstad Award is the largest independent employer branding survey in the world, identifying the most attractive employers among thousands of companies. The survey captures the views of over 225,000 respondents (general public, aged 18-65) in 23 countries. This year marks the 15th anniversary of the Randstad Award.

The Randstad Award provides in-depth insights into the perceptions and drivers of choice of potential employees. Why do people prefer one company, or a specific industry sector, over another? What motivates them to stay with an employer or to start looking for new challenges?

The 150 largest companies in each of the 23 countries included in the survey, are contenders for the local Randstad Awards. The winner of the Global Randstad Award is elected from a list of the top 50 global companies based on a set of objective criteria:

- largest numbers of employees;
- corporate/profit (public sector organizations are excluded);
- operating in at least 25 countries;
- same company name in all countries;
- min. 30% of employees outside the home country.

Downloads
For downloads (photo and video material, infographic, presentations etc) and in-depth information, go to http://www.randstad.com/randstad-award/press/.

Randstad specializes in solutions in the field of flexible work and human resources services. Our services range from regular temporary staffing and permanent placements to inhouse, professionals, search & selection, and HR Solutions. The Randstad Group is one of the leading HR services providers in the world, with top-three positions in Argentina, Belgium & Luxembourg, Canada, Chile, France, Germany, Greece, India, Mexico, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, the UK, and the United States as well as major positions in Australia and Japan. In 2014, Randstad had approximately 29,000 corporate employees and around 4,400 branches and inhouse locations in 39 countries around the world. Randstad generated revenue of € 17.2 billion in 2014. Randstad was founded in 1960 and is headquartered in Diemen, the Netherlands. Randstad Holding nv is listed on the NYSE Euronext Amsterdam, where options for stocks in Randstad are also traded.www.randstad.com .

For more information, please contact: Machteld Merens, telephone: +31 (0)20 569 1732

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