Avoid the Pitfalls and Improve Retention With Effective Hiring and Onboarding Strategies.
Andy Scheu • September 10, 2024

The Hidden Costs of a Bad Hire: What Every Business Should Know


Making the right hiring decision is crucial for the success of any organization. A bad hire, however, can be much more than just an inconvenience; it can be costly in several ways. A recent study by Glassdoor, titled "The True Cost of a Bad Hire," reveals some eye-opening facts about the real impact of hiring mistakes on businesses of all sizes.


Understanding the Financial Impact


The Glassdoor study found that a bad hire could cost an organization as much as 30% of the employee's first-year earnings. This figure includes not only the direct costs associated with salary and benefits but also additional expenses such as recruitment, onboarding, training, and, in some cases, severance pay.


However, the financial implications don’t stop there. When you factor in lost productivity, decreased team morale, and potential damage to client relationships, the real cost of a bad hire can be much higher. According to the study, companies often overlook these hidden costs, which can significantly impact their bottom line.


The Effects on Team Dynamics and Productivity


A bad hire doesn’t just affect the company's financials; it can also disrupt team dynamics and productivity. When an employee is not the right fit, other team members often have to pick up the slack, leading to burnout and frustration. The Glassdoor study highlights that nearly 39% of employers reported a drop in morale among team members following a bad hire. Furthermore, a poor fit can create a toxic work environment that hampers collaboration, stifles innovation, and reduces overall productivity. For businesses that rely heavily on teamwork and seamless communication, this disruption can be particularly damaging.


Reputation and Client Relationships


Another often overlooked aspect is the potential damage to a company's reputation and client relationships. A bad hire in a client-facing role can negatively impact the customer experience, leading to lost business and damage to the brand's reputation. Glassdoor’s study points out that businesses must consider the long-term impact on their brand when making hiring decisions.


The Importance of Effective Onboarding


One of the most effective ways to mitigate the risks associated with a bad hire is to invest in a strong onboarding process. Research shows that employers with robust onboarding programs improve new hire retention by as much as 82%. A well-structured onboarding process ensures that new employees feel welcomed, prepared, and aligned with the company's culture and goals from day one. This reduces the likelihood of early turnover and enhances overall team performance.


At Time & Pay, we understand how critical it is to have a skilled and cohesive team that aligns with your company’s values and goals. That’s why we offer services that streamline HR processes, from automated timekeeping to payroll and compliance, allowing businesses to focus on what matters most—building a team that drives success.


Conclusion

The costs of a bad hire are much more than just financial—they can affect every aspect of your business. By understanding these hidden costs and implementing a robust hiring strategy, including an effective onboarding program, companies can minimize the risk of hiring mistakes and create a more productive and positive work environment.


For more insights on how to improve your HR processes and reduce the risk of a bad hire, explore our range of services at Time & Pay. Contact us today to find out how we can help you build a stronger, more efficient team.



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By Andy Scheu September 17, 2025
Discover how Time & Pay helps FedEx contractors overcome payroll and HR challenges with guaranteed tax compliance, workers’ comp administration, and expert HR support.
Doll hands hold tiles spelling
By Andy Scheu September 4, 2025
The recently introduced One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB Act) brings significant changes for businesses employing tipped workers. A key provision is the “no tax on tips” rule , which removes certain federal tax liabilities for qualified tips. However, not all employees or industries qualify, so it’s essential to understand how this impacts your workforce. To qualify: Tips must be received in an occupation that customarily and regularly received tips on or before December 31, 2024 . Certain fields— healthcare, athletics, and the performing arts —are specifically carved out and do not qualify. Employers must be able to identify if their employees fall into one of the designated Treasury Tipped Occupation Codes (TTOCs) . 📋 Full List of Eligible Tipped Occupations  Below is the complete preliminary list of occupations the Treasury and IRS have identified as customarily tipped roles. Each entry includes the TTOC code, occupation title, description, examples, and related SOC codes . This list is expected to form the basis of official IRS regulations. 🍽️ Beverage & Food Service 101 – Bartenders | Mix and serve drinks (barkeep, sommelier) | SOC 35-3011 102 – Wait Staff | Serve food & beverages to patrons (cocktail waitress) | SOC 35-3031 103 – Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | Serve outside restaurant (room service, beer cart) | SOC 35-3041 104 – Dining Room & Cafeteria Attendants/Bartender Helpers | Clean, reset, assist | SOC 35-9011 105 – Chefs & Cooks | Prepare/cook meals (chef, caterer, food truck cook) | SOC 35-1011, 35-2011, etc. 106 – Food Prep Workers | Prep cold foods, slice meats | SOC 35-1012, 35-2021 107 – Fast Food & Counter Workers | Serve at counters, may prep | SOC 35-3023 108 – Dishwashers | Clean dishes & equipment | SOC 35-9021 109 – Host Staff | Welcome/seat patrons (maître d’) | SOC 35-9031 110 – Bakers | Bake breads, pastries | SOC 51-3011 🎲 Entertainment & Events 201 – Gambling Dealers | Operate games of chance | SOC 39-3011 202 – Gambling Change Persons & Cashiers | Exchange money, tokens | SOC 41-2012 203 – Gambling Cage Workers | Handle casino financials | SOC 43-3041 204 – Gambling & Sports Book Writers/Runners | Take bets, operate keno/bingo | SOC 39-3012 205 – Dancers | Perform dances | SOC 27-2031 206 – Musicians & Singers | Play instruments, sing | SOC 27-2042 207 – DJs (Non-Radio) | Play music for live audiences | SOC 27-2091 208 – Entertainers/Performers | Comedians, magicians, clowns | SOC 27-2099 209 – Digital Content Creators | Streamers, influencers | SOC 27-2099 210 – Ushers/Ticket Takers | Assist patrons at events | SOC 39-3031 211 – Locker/Coatroom Attendants | Provide personal item service | SOC 39-3093 🏨 Hospitality & Guest Services 301 – Baggage Porters/Bellhops | Handle luggage | SOC 39-6011 302 – Concierges | Assist guests with services | SOC 39-6012 303 – Hotel/Resort Desk Clerks | Register, check in/out guests | SOC 43-4081 304 – Maids & Housekeeping Cleaners | Clean hotel rooms | SOC 37-2012 🏡 Home Services 401 – Home Maintenance/Repair Workers | Handyman, roofer, painter | SOC 49-9071 402 – Landscaping/Groundskeeping Workers | Lawn/garden maintenance | SOC 37-3011 403 – Home Electricians | Install/repair wiring | SOC 47-2111 404 – Home Plumbers | Install/repair pipes | SOC 47-2152 405 – HVAC Mechanics/Installers | Heating/AC repair | SOC 49-9021 406 – Appliance Installers/Repairers | Fix/install household appliances | SOC 49-9031 407 – Home Cleaning Workers | House/pool/carpet cleaners | SOC 37-2012 408 – Locksmiths | Keys, locks, safes | SOC 49-9094 409 – Roadside Assistance Workers | Tow truck, tire repair | SOC 49-3023, 53-3032 👤 Personal Services 501 – Personal Care & Service Workers | Aides, butlers, companions | SOC 31-1122 502 – Private Event Planners | Wedding/party planning | SOC 13-1121 503 – Private Event/Portrait Photographers | Wedding/headshot photography | SOC 27-4021 504 – Private Event Videographers | Record events | SOC 27-4031 505 – Event Officiants | Weddings/funerals officiants | SOC 21-2010 506 – Pet Caretakers | Groomers, walkers, sitters | SOC 39-2021 507 – Tutors | Academic tutoring | SOC 25-3041 508 – Nannies/Babysitters | Child care | SOC 39-9011 💇 Personal Appearance & Wellness 601 – Skincare Specialists | Facials, esthetics | SOC 39-5094 602 – Massage Therapists | Therapeutic massage | SOC 31-9011 603 – Barbers/Hairdressers/Cosmetologists | Hair & barber services | SOC 39-5011 604 – Shampooers | Shampoo/rinse hair | SOC 39-5093 605 – Manicurists/Pedicurists | Nail care | SOC 39-5092 606 – Eyebrow Technicians | Threading, waxing | SOC 39-5091 607 – Makeup Artists | Design/apply looks | SOC 39-9031 608 – Fitness Trainers/Instructors | Personal/group exercise | SOC 27-1019 609 – Tattoo Artists & Piercers | Tattoos, body piercing | SOC 51-6052 610 – Tailors | Garment fitting, repair | SOC 51-6041 611 – Shoe/Leather Workers & Repairers | Cobbler, shoe shiner | SOC 39-5012 🎓 Recreation & Instruction 701 – Golf Caddies | Assist golfers | SOC 39-3091 702 – Self-Enrichment Teachers | Piano, art, knitting instructors | SOC 25-3021 703 – Recreational/Tour Pilots | Helicopter/balloon tours | SOC 25-3021 704 – Tour Guides/Escorts | Sightseeing/museum guides | SOC 39-7011 705 – Travel Guides | Expeditions, cruises | SOC 39-7012 706 – Sports & Recreation Instructors | Ski, dive, surf instructors | SOC 53-2012 🚗 Transportation & Delivery 801 – Parking/Valet Attendants | Park/tend vehicles | SOC 53-6021 802 – Taxi/Rideshare Drivers & Chauffeurs | Transport passengers | SOC 53-3054 803 – Shuttle Drivers | Scheduled route drivers | SOC 53-3053 804 – Goods Delivery People | Deliver goods/packages | SOC 53-3031 805 – Vehicle & Equipment Cleaners | Car wash/detailers | SOC 53-7061 806 – Private/Charter Bus Drivers | Motor coach/tour bus | SOC 53-3052 807 – Water Taxi/Charter Boat Workers | Operate boats | SOC 53-5022 808 – Rickshaw/Pedicab/Carriage Drivers | Bike taxis, horse carriages | SOC 53-6099 809 – Home Movers | Furniture movers | SOC 53-7062 ✅ What Employers Should Do Now Review Employee Roles – Determine if any fall under the TTOC list. Adjust Payroll Processes – Coordinate with your payroll provider to ensure compliance with new tip tax rules. Stay Updated – Treasury/IRS will finalize regulations soon, and some occupations may be clarified or excluded. Educate Managers & Staff – Make sure supervisors understand how tips are treated under the new law. 🔗 Resources Official Treasury & IRS Guidance (forthcoming)