The UK's Sunday Times newspaper published its ranking of "The 20 Best Companies to Work for 2009," its comprehensive guide to the best big workplaces in Britain. Morgan Stanley ranked eighth, the only bank to appear in the top 20 and up one spot from 2008.

The best big UK companies' survey is a separate ranking for companies employing 5,000 or more, recognizing the challenges faced by larger firms seeking to create dynamic and engaged workplaces.

The Sunday Times highlighted Morgan Stanley's leadership with the Firm scoring first in this category. Co-President Walid Chammah was named winner of the special award for leadership, recognized in the survey by employees who said said they found him "inspiring," believed he "runs the business on sound moral principles" and have a "great deal of faith" in him.

The 2009 survey found that:

83 percent of employees are proud to work for Morgan Stanley

81 percent laud the leadership skills of senior management

79 percent say the experience gained at work is valuable to their future

78 percent feel their job is good for personal growth

74 percent say they love working for Morgan Stanley

73 percent say senior managers live the values of the organization

72 percent feel they can make a difference within the organization

65 percent say senior managers listen

Best Companies Ltd, which has been involved in producing the Top 100 list for The Sunday Times for the past nine years, conducted The 20 Best Big Companies 2009.

The company canvassed employee opinion via 66 questions, in eight specific areas, designed to build a picture of working life in the company. The eight areas are leadership, immediate manager, personal growth, well-being, team, fair deal, community involvement and the company itself.

Ninety percent of the overall ranking is determined by anonymous employee feedback and 10 percent from the Firm's submission, which Human Resources completes.