Press Materials

• Press Release:Microsoft Best Workplace in Europe - May 21, 2009

For more information on the Great Place to Work® Institute and the 100 Best Workplaces report visit: www.greatplacetowork-europe.com
Link to the Great Place to Work Internal Magazine: http://www.greatplacetowork-europe.com/gptw/gptw-magazine.php
Great Place to Work Internal Magazine

Since 2003 an annual list of 100 Best Workplaces in Europe has been identified and published in leading national European magazines and newspapers. In 15 European countries (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and the UK) a list of best workplaces has been produced, with companies on these lists then considered for inclusion on the European list.

• Microsoft Österreich was ranked fourth in the Best Workplaces in Austria 2009 list, produced by the Great Place to Work Institute Austria. The office also received a special award for the “Best Employer for Females” category.



• Microsoft Belgium placed on top of the Best Employers list Belgium 2009, in the “Less Than 500 Employees” category. The list is produced by the Great Place to Work Institute Belgium in collaboration with the business school Vlerick Leuven Gent Management School.



• Microsoft Danmark was ranked second in the Best Workplaces in Denmark 2008 list, produced by the Great Place to Work Institute Denmark. The office also received a special award for the “Best IT Workplace” category.



• Microsoft Oy (Finland) was ranked second in the Best Workplaces in Finland 2009 list, produced by the Great Place to Work Institute Finland.



• Microsoft Ireland was the overall winner and secured the “Best Workplace Overall Award 2009”, as well as Best Workplace in the “1000 or more Employees” category. The Best Workplaces in Ireland 2009 list is produced by the Great Place to Work Institute Ireland.



• Microsoft Italia was ranked second in the Best Workplaces in Italy 2009 list, produced by the Great Place to Work Institute Italy. The office also received a special award for the “Best Internal Communication” category.



• In the Netherlands, Microsoft placed on top of the Best Workplaces 2009 list in the “Large & Multinaltional Companies” category, ahead of Google and Cisco. The list is produced by The Great Place to Work Institute, The Netherlands.



• In Norway, Microsoft placed on top of the Best Workplaces 2009 list for “Medium Sized Companies,” which was produced by The Great Place to Work Institute Norway.



• A list of 30 Best Workplaces in Portugal 2009 was produced by Great Place to Work Institute Portugal and Microsoft Portugal placed on top, ahead of Cisco. Microsoft Portugal also was the recipient of the Special Award for “Sustainability”.



• Microsoft Spain placed on top of the Best Workplaces in Spain 2009 list, produced by the Great Place to Work Institute Spain in the “500 to 1000 Employees” category.



• Microsoft Sweden was ranked second in the Best Workplaces in Sweden 2009 list, produced by the Great Place to Work Institute Sweden. The office also received two special awards for the “Best Employer for Females” and “Long Term Achievement for Trust” categories.