While workplace stress and disengagement cost the global economy trillions, the path to a thriving organization is clear: cultivating genuine happiness at work isn't just a perk, it's a fundamental driver of productivity, retention, and profit.
Key Takeaways
- 83% of US workers suffer from work-related stress
- Burnout is responsible for up to 50% of annual workforce turnover
- 42% of workers have left a job due to stress
- Disengaged employees cost the global economy $8.8 trillion in lost productivity
- Highly engaged teams result in 21% greater profitability
- Happy employees are 12% more productive than unhappy ones
- Employees who feel heard are 4.6 times more likely to feel empowered to perform their best work
- 79% of employees who quit their jobs cite a lack of appreciation as a key reason
- 58% of employees say they would stay at a job longer if the company culture was better
- 92% of employees believe showing empathy is an important way to advance employee retention
- Replacing an employee can cost 1.5 to 2 times the employee’s annual salary
- 73% of employees are currently open to new career opportunities
- 80% of workers say that a workplace wellness program is important to their job satisfaction
- 63% of employees value work-life balance more than health insurance
- 48% of employees say they would switch jobs for better benefits packages
Happiness at work greatly improves productivity, retention, and business results.
Benefits & Compensation
180% of workers say that a workplace wellness program is important to their job satisfaction
Verified263% of employees value work-life balance more than health insurance
Verified348% of employees say they would switch jobs for better benefits packages
Verified435% of workers would pass up the perfect job if they didn't feel the culture was a fit
Directional591% of employees say their last pay raise was less than 5%
Single source660% of employees say benefits are a very important factor in job satisfaction
Verified744% of employees say they would stay longer if they received more training
Verified867% of workers say that remote work options increase their job satisfaction
Verified989% of workers at companies that support well-being are likely to recommend it as a good place to work
Directional1057% of employees would value more health-related perks
Single source1119% of employees prefer a flexible workspace over a salary increase
Verified1251% of employees say that pet-friendly offices increase their happiness
Verified1340% of employees say they would change jobs for a 10% pay increase
Verified1432% of workers say they value professional development over a pay raise
Directional1577% of workers say they would be more productive if they had flexible working hours
Single source1625% of workers would take a lower-paying job for more vacation time
Verified1762% of employees prefer a 4-day work week over a salary increase
Verified1896% of employees believe showing empathy is important to advancing employee base
Verified1974% of employees would accept a pay cut for a chance to work for an ideal employer
Directional20Offering remote work can reduce employee turnover by 25%
Single source2170% of employees say they would be more loyal to a company that offered tuition reimbursement
Verified2268% of workers would consider a pay cut for a remote job
Verified2380% of employees look for better dental benefits when applying for jobs
Verified2456% of employees prefer a flexible workspace over a salary increase
Directional2561% of workers want to work remotely full-time
Single source2679% of employees say flexible work arrangements are important to them
Verified2750% of employees say they would take a lower pay for a better company culture
Verified2864% of employees say they are looking for a job with better health insurance
Verified2973% of professionals say work-life balance is a very important factor in job satisfaction
Directional3054% of employees say they are more likely to stay at a job with flexible hours
Single sourceBenefits & Compensation Interpretation
Today's workforce is staging a quiet revolution, trading the old altar of salary for a new contract built on flexibility, well-being, and a culture that treats them like humans, not just human resources.
Culture & Leadership
1Employees who feel heard are 4.6 times more likely to feel empowered to perform their best work
Verified279% of employees who quit their jobs cite a lack of appreciation as a key reason
Verified358% of employees say they would stay at a job longer if the company culture was better
Verified470% of the variance in team engagement is attributed to the manager
Directional537% of employees say personal recognition is the most important way a manager can support them
Single source650% of employees quit their boss, not their job
Verified7Only 21% of employees globally are engaged at work
Verified854% of employees say they don't feel respected by their bosses
Verified9Organizations with a strong coaching culture have 17% higher revenue
Directional1093% of employees say they would stay longer at a company that invested in their career
Single source1186% of employees blame lack of collaboration for workplace failures
Verified1271% of executives say employee engagement is critical to their company's success
Verified1347% of active job seekers say company culture is the main reason for looking for work
Verified1475% of people quit their boss, not the company
Directional1569% of employees say they would work harder if they were better recognized
Single source1670% of employees say that having friends at work is the most important element to a happy work life
Verified1757% of employees report not being given clear directions by management
Verified18Culture-focused companies see 4 times higher revenue growth
Verified1972% of employees say that respect is the top contributor to job satisfaction
Directional2080% of employees say they are more motivated when their manager shows appreciation
Single source2188% of employees believe that the core values of an organization are very important
Verified2250% of employees don't know what is expected of them at work
Verified2391% of employees feel motivated to do their best when they have leadership support
Verified2477% of employees feel they are not being heard by their management
Directional2561% of employees say they feel more satisfied when their company communicates its goals
Single source2683% of employees say they would leave their job for a company with a better reputation
Verified2789% of employees would recommend their company as a great place to work if it had an effective recognition program
Verified2875% of employees are not satisfied with their company's recognition programs
Verified2992% of CEOs believe their company is empathetic, while only 50% of employees agree
Directional3086% of employees believe their performance would improve if they were recognized more
Single sourceCulture & Leadership Interpretation
The data screams that the secret to a thriving business isn't a ping-pong table but a simple, radical act of management: listening with respect and recognizing people, because when you treat employees like the intelligent adults they are, they stop plotting their escape and start building your success.
Mental Health & Wellbeing
183% of US workers suffer from work-related stress
Verified2Burnout is responsible for up to 50% of annual workforce turnover
Verified342% of workers have left a job due to stress
Verified476% of employees experience burnout on the job at least sometimes
Directional5Work-related stress causes 120,000 deaths annually in the United States
Single source61 in 5 employees reports that their mental health has worsened over the past year
Verified731% of employees report experiencing some form of workplace harassment
Verified827% of employees feel that work impacts their mental health negatively
Verified961% of employees identify as being burned out
Directional10Depression at work costs employers $188 billion annually in lost productivity
Single source1155% of employees are looking for a new job because they feel undervalued
Verified12Anxiety and depression cause $1 trillion in costs to the global economy each year
Verified1323% of employees feel burned out very often or always
Verified14Staff who take regular breaks are 13% more productive
Directional15Over 50% of employees who report being lonely are less productive
Single source1641% of employees say their work negatively affects their mental health during the pandemic
Verified1760% of employees have never had a conversation with their manager about mental health
Verified18Heavy workloads contribute to 39% of workplace stress
Verified19Employees with high stress are 2.2 times more likely to visit the ER
Directional2044% of workers say they are stressed because of work
Single source21Work stress causes 10% of strokes globally
Verified22Mental health issues are the leading cause of disability worldwide
Verified2354% of workers say they are currently looking for a new job with a better work-life balance
Verified24Employees who are not happy are 2 times more likely to seek out a new job
Directional2534% of employees have left a job due to a poor mental health culture
Single source2674% of employees report being stressed by work-life imbalance
Verified27Work-related stress causes 1 million people to miss work every day
Verified2860% of employees have had a mental health issue because of work
Verified2940% of employees report being bullied at work
Directional3027% of employees say they feel burned out on a daily basis
Single sourceMental Health & Wellbeing Interpretation
American corporate culture's relentless drive for productivity is a silent epidemic, sacrificing human well-being on the altar of output and causing a staggering exodus of talent and health.
Productivity & Engagement
1Disengaged employees cost the global economy $8.8 trillion in lost productivity
Verified2Highly engaged teams result in 21% greater profitability
Verified3Happy employees are 12% more productive than unhappy ones
Verified4Companies with low engagement scores see 18% lower productivity
Directional5Actively disengaged employees are 45% more likely to be looking for a new job
Single source6Happiness at work can increase sales by 37%
Verified7High-trust companies witness 50% higher employee productivity
Verified8Companies with high employee engagement are 21% more productive
Verified913% of the world's workers are emotionally invested in their jobs
Directional10Engaged employees are 59% less likely to look for a job with a different organization
Single source11Performance increases by 20% when workers are happy
Verified12Collaborative teams are 50% more effective at completing tasks
Verified13Firms with high employee satisfaction outperform peers by 2.3% to 3.8% per year in stock returns
Verified14Companies with high engagement enjoy a 10% increase in customer metrics
Directional15Happy employees take 10 times fewer sick days than unhappy employees
Single source16High engagement leads to 41% lower absenteeism
Verified17Companies with happy employees outperform their competition by 20%
Verified18Optimistic employees are 40% more likely to be promoted within a year
Verified19When employees are happy, they are 31% more productive
Directional20Teams with high engagement have 10% higher customer ratings
Single source21Happy employees are 155% more focused than their unhappy counterparts
Verified22Higher levels of happiness are associated with a 33% increase in profitability
Verified23Companies with low levels of engagement have 32% lower operating income
Verified24Productive employees are 40% more likely to be satisfied with their jobs
Directional25Increasing employee engagement by 10% can increase profits by $2,400 per employee
Single source26Happy employees are 10% more productive
Verified27Only 33% of US employees are engaged at work
Verified28Companies with high employee trust outperform the S&P 500 by three times
Verified29Happy sales teams bring in 37% more revenue
Directional3022% of employees are productive when they are unhappy
Single sourceProductivity & Engagement Interpretation
While it sounds like a corporate fever dream, the data is clear: keeping employees happy isn't just nice, it's the starkly profitable difference between a thriving company and a leaking ship of absenteeism, turnover, and lost revenue.
Retention & Loyalty
192% of employees believe showing empathy is an important way to advance employee retention
Verified2Replacing an employee can cost 1.5 to 2 times the employee’s annual salary
Verified373% of employees are currently open to new career opportunities
Verified433% of employees say their main reason for leaving is boredom
Directional587% of employees expect their employer to support them in balancing life and work
Single source640% of employees leaving a job cite lack of career development as the reason
Verified746% of job seekers cite company culture as very important when applying
Verified8Voluntary turnover costs organizations $600 billion per year
Verified972% of people would take a lower pay for a job at a company with a strong culture
Directional10Annual turnover for low-engagement companies is 31% higher than high-engagement ones
Single source1181% of employees would consider leaving their job for the right offer
Verified1282% of employees would quit their job for a company that is more ethical
Verified1365% of employees say they would enjoy their job more if their manager gave more feedback
Verified1466% of employees would leave their job if they didn't feel appreciated
Directional1550% of the US workforce is looking for a new job
Single source161 in 3 employees left their job because they felt they weren't learning anything new
Verified1738% of employees feel unmotivated due to lack of career growth
Verified1840% of people leaving a job list their boss as the primary reason
Verified19Companies spend $4,129 on average to hire a new employee
Directional20Retention is 34% higher in companies that offer formal training
Single source2120% of new hires leave within the first 45 days of employment
Verified22Employee turnover rates are 14.9% higher for disengaged workers
Verified23It takes an average of 42 days to fill a vacant position
Verified24High turnover companies see 24% lower turnover when engagement is high
Directional251 in 4 employees are considering quitting their jobs in 2023
Single source26Companies that focus on employee experience have 4 times higher profit than those that don't
Verified27Companies that support remote work have a 25% lower turnover rate
Verified28The average employee stays 4.1 years at their job
Verified2947% of employees are concerned about their financial future
Directional3069% of employees would stay with their company for 3 years or more if they had a good onboarding experience
Single sourceRetention & Loyalty Interpretation
A company that treats its employees like a cheap battery—draining them without recharging their purpose, growth, or dignity—will discover that the true cost of such neglect is not just financial but the slow, certain drain of its own lifeblood.
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