Cost of an unfilled vacancy.
What each week of an empty seat costs your client, worked out from their own figures, on one page you can send them.
How it works.
An empty seat costs at least what the role is worth to the business, for every working day it stays empty. The tool uses one of three figures, and the sheet says which:
- The salary. The least the role must be worth, or the client wouldn't pay it. The cautious figure, and the default.
- Revenue per employee. The client's turnover divided by headcount, both in their published accounts at Companies House. Better for roles that earn money directly.
- The client's own figure, if they have one.
That figure is divided by working days in the year: 260 weekdays less 28 days of statutory holiday, 232. Cover costs, such as overtime or an interim, are added per day.
It's an estimate built from their numbers, not ours, and the sheet shows every step so the client can check it.
Last checked 21 October 2026
When the rules change.
Rates and thresholds move most Aprils. Leave your email and we'll tell you when this tool is updated. We won't use it for anything else, and you can ask us to delete it at hello@hikari-ai.co.uk.
Built by Hikari. We recruited at Google, Meta, AWS, Shell and BP, and now build AI for recruitment desks. These tools are free, run in your browser, and send nothing anywhere.