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:
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Poor cultural fit
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Rushed recruitment processes
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Inaccurate job specs
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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:
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Reduced productivity across teams
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Disruption of workflows
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Increased turnover as others leave
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Lost business from poor performance or reputation damage
How Howard James Recruitment Helps You Get It Right
At Howard James, we focus on:
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Deep candidate vetting (not just CVs)
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Values-based shortlisting
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Clear communication of expectations on both sides
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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!
