The salary figure on a job advert is not what a UK employee costs you. Not even close. By the time you have added up employer National Insurance, pension contributions, holiday pay, sick pay, equipment and recruitment fees, the real number is significantly higher - and most business owners only find this out after they have signed the contract.
This article shows you the actual all-in cost of a UK full-time hire versus a remote Filipino professional through LisBom. No spin. Just the numbers.
The True Cost of a UK Full-Time Employee
Let us use a practical example: a customer support or admin hire at £28,000 salary. This is a realistic mid-market figure for a competent support or operations professional in the UK.
| Cost Component | Annual (UK) | Monthly (UK) |
|---|---|---|
| Base salary | £28,000 | £2,333 |
| Employer NI (13.8% above threshold) | ~£2,617 | ~£218 |
| Employer pension (3% minimum) | £840 | £70 |
| Holiday pay (28 days statutory) | included above | - |
| Sick pay (statutory minimum) | ~£400 | ~£33 |
| Equipment (laptop, software, desk) | ~£1,200 | £100 |
| Recruitment fee (one-off, amortised) | ~£2,800 | ~£233 |
| Total true cost | ~£35,857 | ~£2,988 |
Key takeaway: A £28,000 salary job costs you closer to £36,000 per year in reality - before the person has delivered a single outcome.
What the Same Role Costs Through LisBom
Now let us look at the same calibre of hire - an experienced customer support or admin professional - placed and managed through LisBom.
| Cost Component | Annual (LisBom) | Monthly (LisBom) |
|---|---|---|
| Staff compensation (salary + benefits) | included | included |
| Philippine employment compliance | included | included |
| LisBom management + HR support | included | included |
| 90-day structured onboarding | included | included |
| Equipment | £0 (they use their own) | £0 |
| Recruitment fee | £0 | £0 |
| Total fixed monthly fee | ~£10,800 | ~£900 |
| Annual saving vs UK hire | ~£25,000 | ~£2,088 |
That is a saving of roughly £25,000 per year on a single hire. For many growing businesses, that is the cost of a second hire - meaning you could have two remote professionals for what one UK employee costs you.
"A £28,000 salary job in the UK costs you closer to £36,000. The same role through LisBom costs around £10,800 per year - all-inclusive."
What Is Actually Included in the LisBom Fee
The most common follow-up question is: "What is not included?" The honest answer is: very little. Your single monthly invoice covers:
- Your team member's full monthly salary and statutory benefits
- Philippine employment law compliance - payroll, tax, HR admin
- LisBom's UK-based management oversight and performance support
- 90-day structured onboarding programme
- Ongoing HR support and team health monitoring
- 90-day replacement guarantee at no extra cost
There are no recruitment fees. No hidden extras. No annual review that comes with a surprise invoice. One number, every month.
But Is the Quality There?
This is the right question to ask. The cost saving is only meaningful if the output matches.
The Philippines has a mature, decades-long track record of supporting global businesses in finance, tech, customer service, marketing and operations. The IT-BPM sector alone generates over $40 billion annually. These are not people new to professional work - they are experienced, English-fluent, and degree-qualified.
LisBom adds a further layer: every candidate is vetted for English communication, role-specific capability, and long-term fit before you see their name. You only meet people who are genuinely ready to hit the ground running.
Is This Right for Your Business?
Remote hiring through LisBom works best for businesses that:
- Are growing but not yet at the scale where another full UK hire makes sense financially
- Need consistent, embedded support - not ad-hoc freelance work
- Have tasks that do not require physical UK presence
- Want someone who grows with the business long-term
If you recognise your business in that list, the conversation is worth having. We will tell you honestly if we think it is not the right fit - and if it is, we will show you exactly what it costs and how quickly you can have someone in place.
See your exact numbers
Book a free discovery call and we will build your personalised cost breakdown - for your role, your business, your timeline.
Book a Discovery Call →Keep Reading
How Much Does It Really Cost to Hire a Remote Worker? →
Why Filipino Professionals Are the World's Best-Kept Secret →