Trust and emotional connection play a key role in attracting and retaining workers, particularly as the nature of work continues to change, according to a Sept. 20 report based on HP’s first Work Relationship Index. The report showed that employees want to work for an employer with empathetic and emotionally intelligent leaders, and they’d even be willing to take a pay cut for such a job.

The majority of workers worldwide have an unhealthy relationship with work, the report found. More than 80% of knowledge workers said they’re willing to earn less to be happier at work.

“There is a huge opportunity to strengthen the world’s relationship with work in ways that are both good for people and good for business,” Enrique Lores, president and CEO of HP Inc., said in a statement.

“As leaders, we must always reject the false choice between productivity and happiness,” Lores said. “The most successful companies are built on cultures that enable employees to excel in their careers while thriving outside of work.”

In a survey of more than 15,600 people across various industries in 12 countries, 73% of knowledge workers said they have an unhealthy relationship with work.

When employees aren’t happy with their relationship with work, businesses suffer as a result, according to the report. Workers reported less productivity, more disengagement at work and greater feelings of disconnection. When it comes to retention, more than 71% of employees who feel neutral about their relationship with work consider leaving the company, and when they’re not happy, that increases to 91%.

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