In a year marked by workplace shifts and evolving employee expectations, the hospitality sector has emerged as a standout performer in the Best Companies to Work For 2025 rankings. Released by Great Place to Work India, this year’s list sees three hospitality giants — Hilton India (#1), ITC Hotels (#5), and Intercontinental Hotels Group (#8) — claiming coveted spots in the top 10 list, signalling a strong resurgence for an industry long known for its people-centric focus.
The annual report, which analysed insights from over 2,000 organisations and 5.7 million employees, highlights both the bright spots and growing pains within India’s corporate landscape. While many organisations are embracing transformative trends — such as GenAI integration, green audits, digital public infrastructure, and stricter privacy laws — the human element of work appears to be under increasing strain.
New entrants
Beyond hospitality, a number of companies climbed the ranks this year. PNB MetLife Insurance, HDFC Life Insurance, NVIDIA, and SIS saw improved positions compared to 2024. The top 20 also included several newcomers, including Welspun Living, Reliance Retail, Salesforce, Quess Corp, Marriott International, and R1 RCM Global, reflecting a dynamic shift in workplace culture and employee priorities.
Meanwhile, familiar names such as Cisco, Verizon Data Services India, Ericsson India, Bajaj Finance, and REA India (which operates Housing.com, PropTiger, and Makaan) fell out of the top 20, the report points out.
A mixed bag
Despite exciting advancements and structural investments, the report sounded a note of caution.
Six out of ten companies report a drop in employees willing to go the extra mile to get the job done – a trend that has been on the rise over the past three years. “With this, the mutual trust that once formed the foundation of the employer-employee relationship may shift. While workers believe they are still contributing significantly, their confidence in the fulfilment of the agreement could diminish,” the report adds.
Despite the broader challenges, the report finds that culture remains one of the strongest and most resilient competitive advantages. In high-trust cultures, for instance, employees show 9% more confidence in their leadership team’s decisions, 7% more likely to feel empowered to innovate, and 8% less likely to experience burnout. “These gains are not incidental, but they are the result of sustained cultural investments in transparency, collaboration, and people-first leadership. Organisations that intentionally prioritise people practices, equip their managers to lead with empathy, and foster psychological safety are not just surviving change, they are shaping it,” the report finds.
Balbir Singh, CEO of Great Place To Work India, said that best workplaces foster an environment that encourages individuals to go above and beyond the call of duty, creating an atmosphere that drives positive results. “The greatness lies in what employees choose to give when they know they matter. It’s that extra spark, that deep commitment, and the willingness to go the extra mile not out of obligation, but out of belief.”
The 2025 list also recognised India’s top 100 mid-size companies, with Pracyva, GUS Global Services India, NIA Institutions, and UPES emerging as frontrunners.