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Headcount norm calculator

Enter the workload for a period in hours, the standard hours per employee over that same period, and a buffer for leave and sick days. The calculator works out the required headcount.

Extra headcount on top of the base figure so the workload still gets covered when some staff are away. Leave at 0 to calculate without a buffer

Result

Required headcount

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This calculation is for informational purposes only and does not replace advice from a qualified professional. Formulas and rates may not fit your exact situation — double-check the figures before making decisions.

How it is calculated

Base headcount = workload for the period ÷ standard hours per employee over the same period, rounded up — you can't hire 4.3 people, and falling short on hours means the workload doesn't get covered.

The leave and sick-day buffer increases the calculated headcount: if some staff are reliably absent for legitimate reasons, the base figure won't actually get covered in practice. With a buffer of X%, required headcount = base headcount ÷ (1 − X ÷ 100).

The calculation assumes evenly spread workload and doesn't account for peak periods, varying individual productivity, or ramp-up time for new hires — it's a starting point for planning, not a final answer.

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