Randstad has identified the most popular German employers. A new top ten emerges. Who is the new number 1 and how is employer attractiveness determined in times of crisis?
The personnel service provider Randstad has published the results of its current study “Employer Brand Research 2026” and has identified the most popular employers worldwide and in Germany. More than 4,000 employees and job seekers were asked, among other things, which companies they perceive as particularly attractive employers and which criteria are important to them.
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About the study
At the beginning of the year, more than 160,000 employees and job seekers between the ages of 18 and retirement age from 34 countries were surveyed for the current Randstad study “Employer Brand Research 2026”. In Germany the panel includes 4,331 people. The study has been conducted for 26 years.
Siemens leads this year’s ranking
Siemens took first place in the German ranking this year. Daimler (Mercedes-Benz) and BMW follow in second and third place. The other companies in the top five this year include the medical technology manufacturer B. Braun Melsungen and the IT service provider T-Systems. The other most popular employers in 2026 are followed by SAP, Boehringer Ingelheim, Gruner + Jahr, Bosch and the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft.
According to Randstad, this year’s ranking shows that industrial, technology and automotive brands are particularly sought after, said Henri Viswat, CEO of Randstad Germany. “Despite the challenging economic situation, they not only have a good reputation, but are also very attractive to employees thanks to their modern technologies.
The ten most popular employers in 2026
| Rang 2026 | Pursue | Rang 2025 |
| 1 | Siemens | 6 |
| 2 | Daimler (Mercedes-Benz) | 3 |
| 3 | BMW | 5 |
| 4 | B. Braun Melsungen | Not in the top 20 |
| 5 | T-Systems | 16 |
| 6 | SAP | 10 |
| 7 | Boehringer Ingelheim | 12 |
| 8 | Gruner + year | Not in the top 20 |
| 9 | Bosch | 4 |
| 10 | Fraunhofer Society | 15 |
Ranking: only limited comparability to the previous year
The results of the study suggest that there are significant changes in the rankings compared to the previous year. For example, the top three no longer exclusively include companies from the automotive industry – Audi, Daimler (Mercedes-Benz), Porsche. T-Systems also made a big jump from 16th place to fifth place year-on-year.
However, Randstad points out that such a year-on-year comparison is only possible to a limited extent. According to the company, the methodology has been adjusted this year and new evaluation criteria have been added (e.g. state-of-the-art technology) while others have been dropped (e.g. financially sound).
Technology and reputation are top characteristics of the frontrunners
The three most popular employers in Germany are primarily linked by their perceived modern technology and their strong reputation. At Siemens, Daimler (Mercedes-Benz) and BMW, the use of the most modern technologies, so-called “state-of-the-art technologies”, is considered the most important attractive factor. In addition, all three companies benefit from a strong reputation. While attractive remuneration packages are also viewed positively at Siemens and Daimler (Mercedes-Benz), BMW is particularly impressive, according to those surveyed, with a strong management and leadership level.
Gruner + Jahr initially surprises in the employer ranking
An interesting result of the study is that Gruner + Jahr made it into the top ten. The media company has had to deal with a number of upheavals in recent years, including the takeover by the RTL Group, massive job cuts and the sale of numerous magazines from the parent company RTL Group to the Funke Mediengruppe.
According to the company, the attractiveness of Gruner + Jahr has not increased significantly compared to the previous year. However, among those who know and rate the media company, it does comparatively well. The good accessibility of the workplace, equal opportunities and the use of modern technologies were particularly positively highlighted.
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Would you like to find out more about employer branding?
Then take a look at our dossier on the topic. There we continually put together studies, deep dives and best cases for you. How attractive a company is perceived depends largely on the employer brand. Learn how to show externally and internally what makes your company culture and career opportunities unique.
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Job security is the top priority for employees
Another factor for the changed ranking will certainly be that employees’ expectations of their employer have also changed. While remuneration was still the most important criterion for employees in 2025, in 2026 job security will be at the top with 58 percent – and car manufacturers cannot currently offer this.
This is followed by a pleasant working atmosphere (54 percent), a good work-life balance (52 percent), attractive salary and additional benefits such as pension offers or vacation and leisure activities (50 percent). Equal opportunities completes the top five criteria for satisfaction and retention of talent in 2026.
Willingness to change remains high – despite job security
Although many employees attach great importance to job security, the willingness to change jobs remains high. 24 percent of those surveyed plan to change their employer within the next six months. 17 percent actually took this step in the past six months. According to the study, anyone considering a change primarily cites unfulfilled core expectations as the trigger. These include insufficient compensation, challenges with work-life balance and a lack of career opportunities.
