When certain people on your team regularly stay late, send emails at 11pm and work at the weekend as a matter of course, it’s usually seen as commitment.
However, behind the scenes, it means someone is carrying the work of a role that hasn’t been filled.
Deadlines don’t slow down while a vacancy sits unapproved, they are quietly absorbed by the most capable people until staying late, or having to say ‘I worked at the weekend again to catch up‘ becomes the norm.
BUT these employees won’t do it indefinitely. As when they leave (because they will), due to burnout, or when they’ve had enough of the unrelenting work and hours – someone further down the line will have to cover their gap in the business, and so the pressure continues. It moves along the chain until eventually, it breaks.
Even small delays in filling key roles creates hidden costs that quietly build over time, affecting delivery, team performance and overall stability.
It’s not about filling a role quickly. It’s about supporting teams to deliver consistently, without the extra pressure or frustration that comes from empty seats. Recruitment needs to be a genuine priority.
