Calculator
Example dataset
| Group | Frozen openings | Avg salary | Freeze months | Benefits % | Taxes % | Bonus % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sales | 2 | 85,000 | 6 | 18 | 7.65 | 8 |
| Engineering | 3 | 125,000 | 6 | 18 | 7.65 | 8 |
| Operations | 1 | 65,000 | 6 | 18 | 7.65 | 8 |
Formula used
Loaded cost factor = 1 + benefits% + taxes% + bonus%
Loaded monthly cost per role = (annual salary × loaded factor) ÷ 12
Gross payroll savings = Σ(loaded monthly cost × frozen openings × freeze months)
Net savings = gross savings + avoided one-time costs − contractor coverage cost
How to use this calculator
- Enter the freeze duration and your currency code.
- Set benefit, tax, and bonus percentages for loaded payroll.
- Optionally include avoided recruiting, onboarding, and equipment costs.
- Add role groups with frozen opening counts and average salaries.
- Estimate contractor coverage to reflect temporary backfills.
- Click Calculate savings and review the summary.
- Download CSV or PDF to share with stakeholders.
FAQs
1) What does “loaded payroll” mean here?
It means salary plus employer-paid add-ons like benefits, payroll taxes, and bonus targets. This gives a more realistic cost than salary alone.
2) Should I include one-time hiring costs avoided?
Include them if you expect the freeze to delay or cancel recruiting activity. If recruiting continues in parallel, set those costs to zero or turn the option off.
3) How does contractor coverage affect results?
Contractor coverage is treated as a cost that reduces savings. Higher coverage percentages usually reduce net savings, but may protect output and service levels.
4) Can I model different salaries for different teams?
Yes. Use role groups to enter separate average salaries and frozen opening counts. The calculator sums gross savings across all groups.
5) Does this account for vacancy savings from attrition?
Not directly. This tool focuses on open positions being frozen. To model attrition vacancy, add another role group with an equivalent “frozen” count and salary estimate.
6) What if raises happen mid-freeze?
The raise toggle applies raises at the start for simplicity. If your timing differs, keep raises off and manually adjust salaries to an average over the freeze period.
7) How do I share results with leadership?
Run a baseline scenario and two alternatives, like higher coverage or shorter duration. Export CSV for spreadsheets and PDF for quick review in meetings.