The Real Cost of a Bad Hire – And How to Avoid It
Is Hiring the Wrong Person Worse Than Hiring No One?
Absolutely. A bad hire isn’t just a bump in the road — it can stall your business, cost you money, and drag down team morale. According to CIPD, the average cost of a poor hire is over £15,000. But it doesn’t have to be this way.
What Makes a Hire “Bad”?
It’s not always about skill gaps. Often, bad hires stem from:
Poor cultural fit
Rushed recruitment processes
Inaccurate job specs
Over-reliance on CVs without due diligence
These are all fixable — with the right recruitment partner.
The Domino Effect of a Bad Hire
Hiring the wrong person can lead to:
Reduced productivity across teams
Disruption of workflows
Increased turnover as others leave
Lost business from poor performance or reputation damage
How Howard James Recruitment Helps You Get It Right
At Howard James, we focus on:
Deep candidate vetting (not just CVs)
Values-based shortlisting
Clear communication of expectations on both sides
A quality-over-quantity mindset
We’re not just filling roles — we’re finding people who’ll stay, deliver, and fit in.
Don’t Risk the Wrong Hire
If you’re hiring now or planning to, let’s help you avoid the cost of getting it wrong.
- Schedule a call to discuss how we can help you build a team that lasts
- Register a vacancy with us and let us find your next hire!
