RedHub AI
How the gate works
How the First-Hire Go / No-Go gate works
This tool grades the strength of the case for a first hire — on your own read of coverage, runway, and handoff. It scores 6 weighted controls into a 0–100 number — then a gate that can only make the verdict worse.
The 6 weighted controls
A Weak (0) mark on either Fully-loaded cost coverage or Work documented enough to hand off forces the verdict to FIRST-HIRE READINESS GAPS, regardless of the score. A Partial (1) mark does not. Being slammed isn't the same as being able to afford the hire.
Why: Five of six signals are strong — score 76, which reads FIRST-HIRE CASE STRONG AS DESCRIBED on the numbers. But cost coverage is at 0, and that's a gate signal: the verdict is forced to FIRST-HIRE READINESS GAPS. Being slammed isn't the same as being able to afford the hire.
A high score didn’t save it. The score is context; the gate is the answer — and where something is short, the priority control row names it. Not financial, tax, or legal advice. This decision aid scores the strength of a first-hire case using only your answers and the stated planning assumptions. It does not determine what you can afford, or whether any worker may lawfully be treated as an independent contractor. Federal and state worker-classification tests examine the facts of the actual working arrangement, not merely the label, and the applicable standards vary and may change. Confirm affordability with your CPA or other qualified financial professional, and worker classification with qualified employment counsel. TEMPORARY CAPACITY MAY FIT AS DESCRIBED: This is a capacity result, not a determination or recommendation that anyone qualifies as an independent contractor. It means only that temporary outside capacity may be worth considering before a full-time hire—which could come from an agency, vendor, professional firm, or properly classified contractor. Confirm the actual arrangement under applicable federal and state standards before engaging anyone.