Hiring Cost & ROI
How much does a bad hire cost ?
2026 data: the complete financial analysis of the cost of hiring, of a bad hire and of a vacant role in industry.
The 3 costly scenarios
150k€ - 300k€
Bad hire
- •Gross salary + employer costs
- •Separation costs
- •Replacement hire
- •Lost productivity, 90 days
- •Team disruption
10k€ - 15k€
Vacant role / month
- •Team overload
- •Costly interim cover
- •Time to full output
- •Falling quality
- •Managerial stress
150k€ - 200k€
Premature turnover
- •Departure in months 6-12
- •Salaries + employer costs
- •Loss of expertise
- •Hire #2
- •Team upheaval
Real case: industrial director, €120k/year
Scenario 1: role vacant for 4 months
Team overload40k€
Interim / consultant30k€
Lost productivity20k€
Total90k€
Scenario 2: failed hire, leaves in month 7
Salary + employer costs70k€
Separation costs10k€
Hire #230k€
Lost productivity25k€
Total135k€
Scenario 3: failed hire + poor onboarding
Salary + employer costs120k€
Separation costs15k€
Hire #240k€
Lost productivity + impact on the team60k€
Total235k€
How to reduce these risks?
1
Strict selection scorecard
Define precisely what you are looking for: technical skills, leadership, cultural fit. 70% of bad hires = selection failure.
2
In-depth assessment
Practical case studies, behavioural interviews, thorough reference checks. Not just a CV and a good impression.
3
Structured 90-day onboarding
Scheduled check-ins: D7, D30, D90. Coaching for the new hire and the manager. This is where it is really decided.
4
Post-hire support
Leadership coaching, team integration, realignment where needed. Prevents 80% of departures in months 6-12.
Frequently asked questions