Morgan Stanley Milan has jumped 10 spots to sixth position in Italy's 2005 Great Place to Work survey, which highlights the companies with the best work atmosphere. The survey targeted 600 companies with anonymous questionnaires in which their employees were invited to rate their workplaces.

"To have improved our position by 10 places compared to last year is a fantastic achievement," said Galeazzo Pecori Giraldi, Country Head for Milan. "This is a reflection on the Firm's commitment to its employees and their commitment back to the Firm."

To measure the level of employee satisfaction, the Great Place to Work Institute focuses on five "dimensions:"

1. credibility (communication, competence, integrity and reliability of management in determining the firm's vision and objectives)
2. respect (for individual's contribution, involvement and communication of important decisions, focus on employee's personal life, reciprocal trust between management and employee)
3. fairness (equal opportunities, including equal pay, impartiality, dignity and non-discrimination)
4. pride (for one's own work, working group and firm)
5. camaraderie (possibility "to be yourself," family and team feeling, welcoming and familiar atmosphere)

At Morgan Stanley, the following areas showed significant improvement from the previous year's results:

• This is a fun/friendly place of work (83%, up from 68%)
• I like the ways we contribute to the community (72%, up from 59%)
• Promotions go to those who best deserve them (67%, up from 55%)
• People care about each other here (76%, up from 66%)
• People avoid "politicking" as a way to get things done (68%, up from 59%)

The Firm's highest scores were tallied in these areas:

• People here are treated fairly regardless of ethnic origin, disability, sexual orientation (100%, 98% and 94%, respectively)
• Management trusts people to do a good job without watching over their shoulder (94%)
• When you join the company, you are made to feel welcome (96%)
• People here are willing to give extra to get the job done (93%)
• I'm proud to tell others I work here (92%)

The top-five rated companies were Johnson & Johnson, Microsoft, Fater, American Express and Johnson Wax. American Express was the only other financial services organization nominated.