Unhappy Workers Cost the U.S. Up to $550 Billion a Year (Infographic) Investing money in improving company culture is often seen as frivolous. But it shouldn't be.

By Catherine Clifford

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Your employees' happiness can make or break your business.

Disgruntled, disengaged, unsatisfied workers are less productive, less creative and more likely to leave. And that's expensive for you.

We aren't talking a few extra dollars here. Unhappy workers cost the U.S. between $450 and $550 billion in lost productivity each year, according to a 2013 report on the state of the U.S. workplace conducted by research and polling company Gallup.

Related: The Happiest People Know Their 'Flow State.' What's Yours?

While keeping employees happy requires some attentiveness on the part of managers, it's not rocket science. Workers want to be recognized when they do good work, have their personal life respected and have friends at work.

For more insight into why it's so critical that business owners and managers take care to attend to the emotional well-being of their employees, have a look at the infographic below from Good.co, a San-Francisco-based workplace personality assessment company.

Click to Enlarge

Unhappy Workers Cost the U.S. Up to $550 Billion a Year (Infographic)

Related: What Does It Feel Like to Find Your Purpose?
Catherine Clifford

Senior Entrepreneurship Writer at CNBC

Catherine Clifford is senior entrepreneurship writer at CNBC. She was formerly a senior writer at Entrepreneur.com, the small business reporter at CNNMoney and an assistant in the New York bureau for CNN. Clifford attended Columbia University where she earned a bachelor's degree. She lives in Brooklyn, N.Y. You can follow her on Twitter at @CatClifford.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Side Hustle

She Quit Her Job at Trader Joe's After Starting a Side Hustle With $800 — Then She and Her Brother Grew the Business to $20 Million

Jaime Holm and Matt Hannula teamed up to build a business in an industry that "didn't exist" yet.

Buying / Investing in Business

Former Zillow Execs Target $1.3T Market

Co-ownership is creating big opportunities for entrepreneurs.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Business News

Nissan Is Doubling Its Initial Layoff Announcement, Cutting 20,000 Jobs: 'A Wake-Up Call'

The automaker is dealing with slowing sales and a recent failed merger with Honda.

Growing a Business

This Local Bakery Has Lines Out the Door. Here Are the Secrets to Its Success.

Known for its viral flat croissants and innovative desserts, Alexander's Patisserie also excels in hands-on leadership and team culture.

Business News

Microsoft Is Laying Off Over 6,000 Employees, About 3% of Its Workforce. Here's Why.

The company said the cuts will affect all divisions and locations, with a focus on managers.