BafGo
Free Calculator

What does a bad hire
actually cost you?

Most small business owners underestimate it. Enter a few numbers and see the real cost — including the time you'll never get back.

About the role
$
$
Estimated cost of one bad hire
Total estimated loss
$0
Every time you hire the wrong person
Recruitment & replacement
Lost productivity (vacancy)
Your time recruiting
Onboarding / ramp-up drag

Formula based on SHRM and US Department of Labor research. Recruitment cost uses 20% of annual salary; productivity loss assumes 55% output reduction during vacancy; ramp-up assumes 35% drag during onboarding.

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How these numbers are calculated

Recruitment & replacement cost: Industry research (SHRM, US Dept. of Labor) consistently estimates direct replacement costs at 16–20% of annual salary for hourly roles and higher for management. This calculator uses 20% as a midpoint.

Lost productivity during vacancy: Each week the seat is empty, your team absorbs the gap — or customers aren't served. We estimate 55% productivity loss on the role's prorated weekly salary.

Your time recruiting: Every hour you or a manager spend posting, screening, interviewing, and onboarding has a real cost. We use your loaded hourly rate against the hours invested.

Onboarding drag: New hires don't hit full output immediately. We assume 35% reduced productivity during the ramp period — on top of the manager time required to train them.