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The study was conducted by The Great Place to Work Institute, which selected its list based upon surveys of 1.5 million staff globally, evaluating all aspects of their work environment, from trust among workers to competition for place.

The company was praised in the survey for retaining the sense of fun from its startup days, as well as its ability to impose its brand at all levels - noting in particular the fact that employees called themselves "Googlers".

Other noteworthy achievements that apparently propelled Google up the rankings included its investment in staff training though its Google University scheme, and its decision to let staff roam around on Segway electrical scooters. A level of laziness offset by investing in bikes for all staff to encourage them to ride to work.

So it's not just about the free smoothies, and beanbags, then?