What is the Bradford Factor?

The Bradford Factor is a mathematical formula used by human resource managers to measure and monitor unplanned employee absences that occur on working days. It is based on the premise that short, frequent absences are more disruptive to business operations than longer, infrequent absences.

The formula for calculating the Bradford Factor is:

B = S x S x D

Where:

• B = Bradford Factor score

• S = Total number of unplanned absence instances

• D = Total number of days absent

A higher Bradford Factor score may indicate an employee whose pattern of absence is having a greater impact on productivity.

What Absences Are Included in the Bradford Factor?

Absences that count towards the Bradford Factor include:

• Sickness Absences:

  • Sick days

  • Doctor appointments

  • Emergency childcare

• Unexplained Absences:

  • Absences not related to statutory leave, such as dependents leave

• Lateness/AWOL (Absent Without Leave):

  • In some industries, lateness may be considered if it disrupts the team or production line

What Absences Are Excluded?

The Bradford Factor does not take into account absences that occur on non-working days, such as:

• Weekends

• Public holidays

Additionally, when completing a return-to-work process, a manager may choose to exclude a specific event from the Bradford Factor calculation.

How Is the Bradford Factor Used?

Employers use the Bradford Factor to:

• Identify employees with frequent short-term absences

• Assess the impact of absences on team productivity

• Provide support and intervention where necessary

• Implement absence management policies effectively

It is important to note that the Bradford Factor should be used alongside other absence management strategies to ensure fair and supportive management of employee well-being.

Managing Absences Effectively

When an employee returns to work after an absence, their manager will complete a return-to-work interview. During this process, the manager can determine if the absence should be included in the Bradford Factor calculation or if it falls under an allowable exclusion - you can manage this through your WorkSmarter account.

By monitoring absence trends and addressing potential issues early, businesses can improve workforce efficiency and support employee health and well-being.