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Five departures in a crew of 25
You have 25 employees. Five leave in the period. Each departure costs 2,000 to separate, 3,000 while the seat is empty, and 7,000 to recruit and train a replacement.
Employees: 25% lower
Change employees to 19 people while keeping the other example values the same.
Employees: 25% higher
Change employees to 31 people while keeping the other example values the same.
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Quick answer
What does the Employee turnover cost calculate?
What do the departures in this period cost? This calculator uses employees, separations, separation cost per person, vacancy cost per person, and replacement cost per person to estimate cost of the departures immediately in your browser.
With the values currently entered, the result is $60,000.00 — turnover cost for the period. It also shows separations rate, cost per departure, employees, and separations.
How to use the Employee turnover cost
- Replace the example values with your own numbers.
- Review the result and supporting figures as they update automatically.
- Check the formula and assumptions before using the estimate for a decision.
Inputs used
- Employees — entered in people
- Separations — entered in people
- Separation cost per person
- Vacancy cost per person
- Replacement cost per person
Employee turnover cost formula
Separations rate = separations ÷ employees. Cost per departure = separation + vacancy + replacement. Period cost = that sum × separations.
Assumptions
- BLS computes the separations rate as separations divided by employment, then multiplied by 100. JOLTS employment is the payroll count for the pay period that includes the 12th.
- The dollar cost adds the separation, vacancy, and replacement amounts you type, then multiplies by separations. BLS does not publish that dollar total.
Verify the inputs
Authoritative sources
These sources explain the definitions, factors, or rules behind this tool. Their geographic scope is shown because an official source for one country is not automatically valid somewhere else.
Computes the separations rate as the number of separations divided by employment, then multiplied by 100. Separations include quits, layoffs and discharges, and other separations.
Hire employeesUS Small Business AdministrationScope: US small-business hiring; method is generalWalks through the cost of hiring, including taxes and benefits, and treats those extras as part of what an employee costs.
Sources do not endorse Calculum. Check the source date, scope, and your own documents before making a financial, tax, insurance, or reporting decision.
Practical guide
Employee turnover cost example and edge cases
BLS computes a separations rate as separations divided by employment, then multiplies by 100. The dollar side of this page is the cost you type for one departure. That cost adds separation, vacancy, and replacement, then multiplies by the separations in the period.
Example: Five departures in a crew of 25
You have 25 employees. Five leave in the period. Each departure costs 2,000 to separate, 3,000 while the seat is empty, and 7,000 to recruit and train a replacement.
- Employees
- 25 people
- Separations
- 5 people
- Separation cost per person
- 2,000
- Vacancy cost per person
- 3,000
- Replacement cost per person
- 7,000
Calculated result$60,000.00turnover cost for the period
The separations rate is 20 percent. One departure costs 12,000. Five departures cost 60,000. BLS publishes the rate. The dollars are the amounts you typed.
Example results use the default display profile. The calculator above follows your selected country and units.
How to read the result
- Read the period cost first. The rate tells you how large the departures are against the crew. A small crew with a few exits can show a high rate and a modest dollar total.
- JOLTS employment is the payroll count for the pay period that includes the 12th. A year-end headcount can differ from that count, so the rate moves with the employee box you choose.
Edge cases worth checking
The employee box is only the year-end headcount
BLS divides by employment in the pay period that includes the 12th. If you type the December 31 count, the rate describes that snapshot. Use the count that matches the period you have in mind.
Vacancy overtime is already in payroll
The 3,000 vacancy box is an amount you assign to the empty seat. If that overtime is also inside a payroll total you use elsewhere, you will count it twice when you add the two reports.
What changes the result most
Employees
Use the count you expect in real life. Round up when a partial people cannot be purchased or used.
Separations
Use the count you expect in real life. Round up when a partial people cannot be purchased or used.
Separation cost per person
Use a current amount for separation cost per person. Include fees or recurring costs that belong in the same figure.
Try a different scenario
Small changes show whether the answer is stable or sensitive.
Employees: 25% lower
19 people$60,000.00turnover cost for the period
Employees: 25% higher
31 people$60,000.00turnover cost for the period
Separations: 25% higher
6 people$72,000.00turnover cost for the period
Common mistakes
Check employees
BLS computes the separations rate as separations divided by employment, then multiplied by 100. JOLTS employment is the payroll count for the pay period that includes the 12th. Make sure this matches the number you enter.
Keep replacement cost per person consistent
The dollar cost adds the separation, vacancy, and replacement amounts you type, then multiplies by separations. BLS does not publish that dollar total. Use the same units and time period throughout the calculation.
Do not rely on one employee turnover cost scenario
Run a cautious case and an optimistic case. The range is often more useful than one exact-looking number.
Use this result well
What do the departures in this period cost?
It does not replace a quote, contract, accountant, or local employment guidance.