Cost of leaving the role open
- Revenue per employee (per year)
- AED 500,000
- Value per working day
- AED 2,000
- Lost value over 45 working days
- AED 90,000
÷ 250 working days
Cost of vacancyAED90,000
About AED 2,000 per working day
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Cost of Vacancy Calculator
What does it cost your business for every day a role stays open?
Enter your revenue and headcount — or the value of the role — and how long it stays open. You get the cost per working day and the total cost of the vacancy.
How cost of vacancy is calculated
First the calculator finds the annual value of the role: company revenue ÷ employees, or the value you enter. It divides that by your working days per year to get a daily value, then multiplies by the working days the role is open. Cover costs (overtime, temps, agency cover) are added; if you switch it on, the salary you don't pay while the seat is empty is subtracted.
- Revenue per employee
- Annual company revenue divided by total employees.
- Working days
- Your own working days per year, after weekends, public holidays and leave.
- Cover costs
- What you pay others to do the work while the role is open.
Cost of vacancy examples
Illustrative roles at 250 working days a year, worked out with the same formula the calculator uses.
| Role | Annual value | Per working day | Days open | Cover costs | Cost of vacancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trading company (revenue per employee) | AED 500,000 | AED 2,000 | 45 | — | AED 90,000 |
| Sales manager (role value) | SAR 900,000 | SAR 3,600 | 60 | SAR 15,000 | SAR 231,000 |
| Clinic nurse (role value) | QAR 250,000 | QAR 1,000 | 30 | QAR 12,000 | QAR 42,000 |
Illustrative figures only. Salary not subtracted.
Before you present the number
- This is a model, not an accounting figure — say which method and inputs you used.
- Some vacancies cost little because others absorb the work; others stop revenue entirely.
- Use working days, not calendar days, for days open, so it matches the daily value.
Frequently asked questions
What is cost of vacancy?
Cost of vacancy is the value a business loses while a role stays empty — the output, sales or service the person would have produced. It helps you weigh the cost of hiring faster (for example a paid job ad or an agency) against the cost of waiting.
How do you calculate cost of vacancy?
Cost of vacancy = (annual value of the role ÷ working days per year) × working days the role is open. The annual value can be your revenue per employee (company revenue ÷ headcount) or a value you set for the role. Add any cover costs such as overtime or temporary staff; optionally subtract the salary you don't pay while the seat is empty.
Should I subtract the salary I'm saving?
It depends on what you want to show. The gross figure shows the value lost to the business; the net figure shows the true financial gap after the unpaid salary. The calculator leaves salary in by default and lets you subtract it with one switch, so you can show both.
Is revenue per employee a good measure?
It is a quick, defensible average, but it overstates support roles and understates revenue-generating roles. For sales or senior roles, use 'Value of this role' and enter a figure you can explain — for example the gross profit the role is expected to bring in a year.
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