The true cost of vacant roles in Singapore isn’t saved salaries it’s lost productivity and growth. Photo by Canva
Why the Cost of Vacant Roles in Singapore Hurts More Than You Think
Singapore’s labour market remains tight. As of March 2025, there were 81,100 job vacancies (MOM). While some employers see a vacancy as “saving salary,” the reality is the opposite: the cost of vacant roles in Singapore goes far beyond payroll savings. Every unfilled job quietly drains productivity, morale, and revenue.
A single vacant role can:
- Cut team output by up to 30% (as colleagues cover extra tasks).
- Increase overtime pay and burnout risks.
- Delay projects and client delivery, leading to lost opportunities.
In competitive industries like FMCG, retail, healthcare, logistics, and tech, the cost of vacancy often far exceeds the cost of hiring.
The Hidden Cost of Vacant Roles in Singapore
1. Lost Productivity
Vacant positions leave critical work undone. As a result, productivity falls sharply. According to Deloitte, each empty role can cost 1.5–2x the monthly salary in lost output and missed opportunities.
2. Overtime & Burnout
Existing staff are often forced to cover the gap, leading to overtime. This not only adds direct costs, but also increases stress and makes people more likely to leave.
3. Project Delays & Lost Revenue
Client-facing and sales roles are especially critical. If hiring is delayed, projects stall and revenue targets are missed.
4. Employer Brand Impact
A company that always looks “short-staffed” sends a bad signal. As a result, both candidates and clients may lose confidence in the organisation.
Time-to-Hire Benchmarks in Singapore
According to the Ministry of Manpower and industry surveys:
- Average time to fill a role in Singapore: 36–45 days.
- Leadership & specialist roles: often 60+ days.
- SMEs: take even longer due to smaller HR teams.
That means a single vacancy could easily cost 2–3 months of productivity loss before the right person even starts.
Reducing the Cost of Vacant Roles in Singapore
1. Tap Into Pre-Screened Talent Pools
Agencies like Elitez maintain ready-to-hire candidate databases, cutting time-to-fill drastically.
2. Use Temporary or Contract Staffing
Stop gaps fast. A temp or contract staff can keep operations running while you search for the perfect permanent hire.
3. Adopt Temp-to-Perm Hiring
Trial candidates in short-term roles before confirming them permanently — reducing the risk of wrong hires.
4. Employer Branding & Faster Processes
Simplify interviews, offer clear career paths, and highlight your EVP (Employer Value Proposition) to attract talent faster.
How Elitez Helps Fill Roles Faster
At Elitez, we’ve been supporting Singapore businesses since 2010, across industries like FMCG, healthcare, retail, logistics, and tech.
Here’s how we cut vacancy costs:
- Time-to-fill under 7 days for temp/contract roles.
- Specialist recruiters for permanent placements.
- Regional talent networks across Southeast Asia.
- Flexible solutions (contract, temp-to-perm, outsourcing) to match business cycles.
Instead of leaving roles open for months, we help you secure the right talent quickly — reducing disruption, costs, and risks.
Ready to Fill Vacancies Faster?
Every day a role stays vacant, your business loses productivity, morale, and revenue. Don’t wait — act smarter.
📌 Talk to Elitez today to fill critical roles faster.
- 🌐 Visit our Recruitment Services
- 💬 Chat with us on WhatsApp
- 📧 hrgogetter@elitez.asia
- 📞 +65 6050 0777
🚀 Stop losing money to empty chairs. Start hiring smarter with Elitez.