Absence Rates Recruitment Cost Calculator Examples
Worked examples showing how absence rates can affect annual recruitment and temporary cover estimates.
These examples show different workforce sizes, absence rates and staffing-cost assumptions. All figures are illustrative planning estimates.
Small office team with modest cover costs
Small business workforce planning
Input Summary
Employees
25
Absence rate
3%
Working days
250 days
Recruitment cost per hire
$3,000
Daily cover cost
$120
Calculation Breakdown
- 1Scheduled days25 * 2506,250 days
- 2Absence days6,250 * 3%187.5 days
- 3Absent capacity187.5 / 2500.75 FTE
- 4Recruitment cost0.75 * $3,000$2,250
- 5Cover cost187.5 * $120$22,500
Result Summary
Cover cost
$22,500
Absence Rates Recruitment Cost Calculator
Estimated recruitment cost is $2,250, cover cost is $22,500, and combined staffing cost is $24,750.
Medium workforce with higher absence
Service operation requiring regular cover
Input Summary
Employees
150
Absence rate
5.5%
Working days
260 days
Recruitment cost per hire
$4,500
Daily cover cost
$180
Calculation Breakdown
- 1Scheduled days150 * 26039,000 days
- 2Absence days39,000 * 5.5%2,145 days
- 3Absent capacity2,145 / 2608.25 FTE
- 4Recruitment cost8.25 * $4,500$37,125
- 5Cover cost2,145 * $180$386,100
Result Summary
Cover cost
$386,100
Absence Rates Recruitment Cost Calculator
Estimated combined absence staffing cost is $423,225.
Large specialist workforce with costly recruitment
Specialist roles with expensive hiring
Input Summary
Employees
400
Absence rate
2.5%
Working days
240 days
Recruitment cost per hire
$12,000
Daily cover cost
$350
Calculation Breakdown
- 1Scheduled days400 * 24096,000 days
- 2Absence days96,000 * 2.5%2,400 days
- 3Absent capacity2,400 / 24010.00 FTE
- 4Recruitment cost10.00 * $12,000$120,000
- 5Cover cost2,400 * $350$840,000
Result Summary
Cover cost
$840,000
Absence Rates Recruitment Cost Calculator
Estimated recruitment cost is $120,000 and combined absence staffing cost is $960,000.
How to Read Your Results
Annual absence days are the estimated scheduled work days lost across the whole workforce.
Absence FTE is an average capacity measure, not a count of people absent on any particular day.
Recruitment cost applies the cost per hire to the average capacity gap.
Cover cost assumes a cost is incurred for every estimated absence day.
The combined result is useful for scenario comparison and budget discussions, not as an exact forecast.
Assumptions & Important Notes
- All examples use the same absence rate across the workforce.
- Each absence day is assumed to need cover at the stated daily cost.
- Currency figures are illustrative and do not represent a benchmark.
- Results exclude salary, benefits and productivity impacts.
Related Examples
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good absence rate to use in an example?
Use your own historical absence rate where available. If you are comparing scenarios, test a lower, expected and higher rate.
Why can cover cost be much larger than recruitment cost?
Cover cost is charged for every absence day, while recruitment cost is based on the average FTE capacity gap.
Can I model only one department?
Yes. Enter the department's average headcount, working days and costs, provided the inputs are consistent for that group.
Should I round absence days?
Keep decimals while calculating if possible, then round the displayed result as needed for reporting.
Ready to calculate your own result?
Use the live calculator with your own inputs, timing, and preferences.