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Hire or delegate? How to choose when your team is small
In short: hire when the need is permanent, full-time, and you have the time to train and supervise someone. Delegate to an outside resource when the need varies, calls for specific expertise, or you don't have time to manage one more person. For many small teams, delegating first helps clarify the need before hiring.
When it all rests on you (see 5 signs you're carrying too much in your business), the first idea is often to hire. Sometimes that's the right answer. But not always, and especially not always first.
How much does an employee really cost in Quebec?
The salary is only the starting point. According to the Services Québec guide, employer payroll contributions come to about 16.8% of gross salary in 2026, vacation pay included (Services Québec, 2026):
| Employer contribution | 2026 rate |
|---|---|
| Quebec Pension Plan (QPP) | 6.30% |
| Vacation pay | 4.00% |
| Health Services Fund (HSF) | 2.50% |
| Employment Insurance (EI) | 1.82% |
| CNESST (health and safety, labour standards) | 1.60% |
| Quebec Parental Insurance Plan (QPIP) | 0.602% |
| Total | 16.822% |
For a $50,000 salary, that's about $8,400 more per year. Some rates vary with your payroll and your industry, and you also need to add recruiting, equipment, training and, above all, the time you'll spend supervising that person.
Why is delegating so hard?
You're not alone in finding it hard. In a study of 1,446 employer entrepreneurs in the United States, Gallup found that 75% of them had limited or low talent for delegating (Gallup).
Yet it's worth the effort. In another Gallup study of 143 leaders of fast-growing companies (the Inc. 500 list), those with a strong talent for delegating generated 33% more revenue than the others: 8 million versus 6 million US dollars on average (Gallup).
When should you hire?
- The need is permanent and adds up to full-time, week after week.
- The work calls for a constant presence at your premises or with your clients.
- You have the time and the structure to recruit, train and supervise.
- You know exactly which role you're creating and what's expected of it.
When is it better to delegate?
- The need varies from month to month, or only adds up to a few hours a week.
- You're looking for specific expertise (project coordination, social media) you can't yet assess in a hiring process.
- You don't have time to manage one more person.
- You want to test a need before creating a role.
Hire or delegate: the comparison
| Hire | Delegate to an outside resource | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Salary + about 16.8% in contributions + benefits | Package or agreed rate, no payroll contributions |
| Timing | Several weeks of recruiting and training | Starts within a few days |
| Flexibility | Low: a role is a commitment | High: adjusted to your needs |
| Management | Supervision, reviews, replacements | Regular check-ins, no employee to manage |
| Expertise | That of the person hired | Chosen for the mandate |
The option in between
Between "doing it all yourself" and "hiring full-time", there's an option many small teams forget: an outside resource that works as part of the team. At Grafico, a creative studio in Montreal, I coordinate projects and social media a few days a week, without the agency having to create a full-time role.
It's often the best way to clarify the need. After a few months, you know exactly what a future employee should do, and you can hire with full knowledge.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an employee cost in Quebec on top of their salary? About 16.8% of gross salary in employer payroll contributions in 2026, vacation included, according to Services Québec. On top of that come recruiting, equipment, training and management time.
Does delegating cost more than hiring? Not necessarily. By the hour, an outside resource can cost more, but you only pay for the time actually used, with no payroll contributions, no recruiting and no employee to manage.
What should I delegate first? A recurring task that comes back every week and doesn't need your judgment as a founder: project follow-ups, posting on social media, coordinating with partners. Our guide How to set up a mandate so it moves without you shows you how to hand it over.
Not sure what you need?
That's exactly what the first call is for. We look together at your reality and what would lighten your load the most: support on your mandates, project coordination or your social media (see the services). Book a call. It comes with no commitment.
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