A study by the research engine Gallup found a correlation between employee engagement and a productive workplace. Conducted across 50,000 U.S. businesses, the study revealed that actively engaged work units were 22 percent more profitable than work units that were perceived as disconnected from their jobs. High engagement was also found to have a positive effect on safety incidents, product quality, customer service ratings, turnover, and employee theft. Gallup estimates that disengaged workers, making up about 20 percent of the workforce, cost the United States $450 to $550 billion a year.
See "Are unenthusiastic workers hurting your business?s bottom line?", Sarah Halzack, The Washington Post, June 23, 2013