What’s a Replacement Guarantee and Why Does It Matter?
How it works, key clauses, and the peace of mind it brings.
Hiring a new team member is a big commitment; of time, money, and trust. And even with a great interview process, things don’t always go to plan. Sometimes the fit isn’t right. Sometimes candidates change their minds. Sometimes life just gets in the way.
That’s where a replacement guarantee comes in. It’s one of the best things about working with a recruiter; and it’s there to protect your investment and reduce the risk when hiring.
At Motion Recruitment, we take our guarantee seriously. Here’s how it works, why it’s structured the way it is, and what you should consider when evaluating any replacement policy.
How Does a Replacement Guarantee Work?
Our guarantee is straightforward: If a candidate we place leaves or is terminated within 3 months of starting;for reasons like poor performance, incompetence, or negligence we’ll find a replacement at no extra cost.
The same applies if the candidate resigns within 3 months. No questions asked, we’ll get to work.
What Isn’t Covered?
There are a few common-sense exceptions:
- Redundancy or internal restructuring
- Changes to the role that significantly shift the original job brief
- Unpaid invoices outside our agreed terms
If the nature of the role has changed, we treat that as a new assignment.
Why Three Months?
Three months is sufficient timeframe for both sides to assess whether things are working. If a candidate can’t perform in the role, or if they’re not committed to staying, it usually becomes clear within that window. It also covers scenarios where candidates accept an offer but continue interviewing elsewhere (yes, it happens).
But here’s the reality: once a candidate starts and is working under your direction, our influence drops off quickly. What happens in those early weeks has a huge impact on whether they stay.
That’s why it’s important to:
- Deliver on what was promised during the interview
- Provide a structured induction
- Create a supportive, engaging environment from day one
A guarantee is a safety net, not a substitute for onboarding and retention.
What If You Want More Than Three Months?
Some clients ask if we offer longer guarantee periods. And the answer is: we can, but like any insurance policy, extended cover comes at an additional cost. That said, if you’re genuinely concerned about the risk of someone leaving early, the best investment might not be in a longer guarantee; it’s in making sure the role, environment, and onboarding experience are as compelling as possible.
Preventing the issue is always better than relying on a fallback.
Why Is the Replacement Search Exclusive?
Our goal is to fill your vacancy, not compete with your internal team or other recruiters. If you choose to engage others, that’s totally fine, we’re happy to collaborate, but once the role is filled, the guarantee ends.
So, if you’d prefer us to take full accountability and handle the search from start to finish, exclusivity allows us to focus and deliver the best result without duplication or confusion.
What If We Can’t Replace the Role?
If despite our best efforts, we’re unable to find a suitable replacement and both parties agree it’s not going to happen, we’ll issue a Credit Note, valid for 6 months. This credit can be used once, exclusively with Motion Recruitment, on a future role, so it won’t go to waste
Peace of Mind
You never want to use a replacement guarantee, just like you don’t really want to make an insurance claim. But it’s reassuring to know it’s there.
At Motion Recruitment, we stand by our placements and want our clients to see real value in our service; not just at the offer stage, but well into onboarding and beyond.