Every year we survey employees from some of the biggest and best public relations firms across Europe, the Middle East and Africa to identify our Best Consultancies to Work For. This year, about 4,800 employees from close to 60 firms shared their thoughts about their workplaces.

The winners will receive their trophies at our annual SABRE Awards dinner, which takes place in London on May 20. (Tickets available here.)

Best Multinational Consultancy to Work For: We Are Social

It’s no surprise that everything about the workplace culture at We Are Social is, well, social. From the recruitment process—the firm eschews search firms and prefers to hire people who seek it out—to the workplace environment: “Everyone is genuinely really friendly and passionate about what they do,” says one respondent. “It's a relaxed and fun environment from which great work is produced!”

The culture appears to be scaling as the firm expands internationally. We Are Social “actively maintains the feeling of a small start-up even though we are now much larger and more established,” says one respondent. Adds another: “We've retained the culture of a small agency whilst growing quickly. It's a fun place to be but everyone works hard and I think every single person feels that they are making a big impact on the business.”

Runners-up: Text 100, Weber Shandwick, APCO Worldwide, Edelman

Best UK Consultancy to Work For: Salt

Corporate communications consultancy salt does most of things an employer of choice needs to do. It allows flexible working, and provides generous annual leave (25 days—plus your birthday off) and a three-month sabbatical for those with five years of service. It supports career development with in-house and external training, study support, and relevant professional memberships. And benefits include a wellness allowance and support for a cycle-to-work scheme.

Employees appreciate the package. “I interned at the company first and even then the people couldn't have been more welcoming,” says one respondent. “The same is true now—it's a really social atmosphere and so much fun.” Others like “the continual striving to be different and better,” “the independence to do what we want to,” and “the very down to earth, real and dedicated people.”

Runners-up: Hope & Glory, Man Bites Dog, Unity, Cirkle

Best Continental Consultancy to Work For: fischerAppelt

German consultancy fischerAppelt offers employees the chance to work across disciplines and across multiple offices—on campaigns domestic and international. It encourages creativity, bringing together writers, editors, filmmakers, designers, presenters, producers, programmers, strategists and consultants. And it emphasizes independence—and in particular independent thinking.

One respondent to our survey enthuses that “there are so many different people with a diverse set of skills, which can contribute to any project,” while another appreciates “a team feels like family, we care about each other even in good and bad times,” and another likes “the high level of expertise every employee brings to it and how we work as a team, starting from top senior level to our interns.”

Runners-up: TRACCS, Fink & Fuchs, All Channels Communication, Schwartz PR