backfill

Definition

Replacing an employee who has left or been promoted by hiring someone into their former position. The eternal corporate cycle where someone's promotion creates a domino effect of musical chairs.

Example Usage

Congratulations on your promotion! Now we'll spend six months trying to backfill your role and complaining that nobody measures up.

Origin

Borrowed from construction terminology where backfill means replacing excavated earth

Fun Fact

The average backfill hire takes 42 days and costs $4,000 in recruiting expenses, not counting the productivity loss while the seat is empty.

Source: Recruiting and workforce planning terminology

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