British employees are happier working for Oxfam and footwear retailer Schuh than Google, according to Glassdoor's eighth annual Employee’s Choice awards.

Glassdoor’s 25 UK best places to work in 2016 features winning employers across diverse industries, spanning technology, banking, retail and engineering.

The footwear retailer Schuh and the leading UK charity Oxfam ranked fourth and fifth on the list respectively, well above Google.

Google is known for earning top honours in workplace rankings, with employee benefits including free wifi on shuttle transport, free healthy snacks and competitive salaries. It has nonetheless dropped from first to eighth place this year.

However, it is still among only ten employers that have made it onto the list for two years in a row.

Expedia, the online travel company, tops the ranking this year, followed by recruiting company Hays and digital agency AKQA.

Expedia was praised for its strong friendly work culture, as well as a good work life balance and a very supportive management team.

To determine the best places to work, Glassdoor looks at company reviews made by employees who voluntarily provide anonymous feedback, by completing a company review about their job, work environment and employer over the past year.

“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. For anyone hoping to find a job and company they love, these companies stand tallest for providing outstanding work environments and company cultures,” said Robert Hohman, Glassdoor CEO and co-founder.

1. Expedia - Online travel company

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)

(Glasdoor)

2. Hays - Recruiting company

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)

Hays (Glassdoor)

3. AKQA - Digital agency

Company Rating: 4.4

“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)

(Glassdoor)

4. GE - Technology and financial services company

Company Rating: 4.2

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

GE teams up with Saudi state-owned oil firm Aramco and others to open up economy (Glassdoor)

5. Schuh – Footwear retailer

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)

(Glassdoor)

6. Oxfam - Charity

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)

For every £1 donated to Oxfam, 84p goes directly on emergency, development and campaigning work (Rex Features)

7. ARM Holdings software - Software design company

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)

(Glassdoor)

8. Google - Technology company

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)

Google office (Glassdoor)

9. Uniliver - Consumer goods company

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)

(Glassdoor)

10. London Underground

Company Rating: 4.0

“They protect their employees, fair and consistent and very good salaries” London Underground IM Training Coordinator (London)

Two new strikes have been announced for August (Oli Scarff/Getty Images)

11. PageGroup - Recruitment company

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 - Low cost airline carrier

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 - Design, Engineering and Business consultation company

Company Rating: 3.9

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

14. Amec Foster Wheeler - Consultancy, engineering and project management company

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 - Oil and gas company

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 - Retail

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 - Investment banking firm

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 - Technology company

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 - Investment banking firm

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 - Financial services company

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 - Tax and consulting services firm

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 - Internet services company

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 - Consumer good company

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 - Consumer knowledhe company

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 - Retail

Company Ratings: 3.8