So have a basic filter, hire based on who meshes well with the team and have a trial period during which they actually get evaluated for competence. They’re technically an employee during the trial period, but with the understanding (and contractual agreement) that they will be evaluated at the end of the period and that the employment will be terminated if they do not meet the criteria.

Trial periods, too, are no longer allowed over here. They used to be permissible up to 6 months (which was an insanely long time to essentially live with the knowledge that you could basically be sacked any day). But now they're gone. Firing people isn't terribly easy either, might need to give two months notice!

Of course, the net result is that self-employed contracting is on the rise. Especially the kind where people are self-employed only in name, but really work for a single employer. The only difference is that they send an invoice at the end of the month, and the employer can terminate the contract at any point (depending on the terms in the contract, of course).

Hiring is hard. Especially so when hiring the wrong person can cost you two months' wages.

> Trial periods, too, are no longer allowed over here.

Ouch. That does make it really hard, impossible even, to make sure you get a good fit.