The Sunday Times has named Microsoft as one of the UK’s best 100 companies to work for – and the Xbox 360 platform holder is the only tech firm to be named in the list.

Microsoft ranked 21st in the overall list.

The newspaper said that 88 per cent of those questioned who worked for the firm claimed to be proud to work for the global software giant, adding that one in four people who join the company do so on the recommendation of an employee.

Microsoft was also credited for giving its staff 25+ days annual leave for staff, 10+ weeks fully paid maternity leave, childcare provision, health insurance and share options. In addition, its UK HQ boasts an on-site gym and ten per cent of its employees do charitable work in their spare time.

Other points of praise include the firm’s 25 graduate vacancies every year, the subsequent mentoring scheme and £1,000 starting bonus for new graduates.

Amongst their praise, staff described the firm as stimulating and exciting, claiming that they felt the opportunity for progression and that they could make a valuable contribution to the company’s success.