Bradford Factor Calculator (Monitoring Employee Absence Levels)
Bradford Factor Calculator
Advanced HR tool for absence pattern analysis
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Bradford Factor Score
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Calculation History
What is the Bradford Factor?
The Bradford Factor is a human resource management tool used to measure the impact and patterns of employee absences. Developed by Bradford University School of Management in the 1980s, it emphasizes that frequent short-term absences are more disruptive than longer, less frequent ones.
This tool helps HR professionals identify absence patterns that may require intervention while ensuring fair and consistent absence management across the organization.
How is it Calculated?
The Bradford Factor uses a simple but effective formula:
Where:
- S = Number of separate absence occurrences in the period
- D = Total number of days absent in the period
- B = Bradford Factor score
The squaring of occurrences (S²) heavily weights frequent absences, reflecting their greater organizational impact.
Common Threshold Guidelines
| Score Range | Risk Level | Typical Action |
|---|---|---|
| 0 - 49 | Low | No action required, continue monitoring |
| 50 - 124 | Medium | Informal discussion, identify causes |
| 125 - 199 | High | Formal meeting, improvement plan |
| 200+ | Critical | Disciplinary review, potential sanctions |
Note: These thresholds are guidelines only. Organizations should set their own based on industry, role requirements, and company culture.
Best Practices for Using the Bradford Factor
- Context Matters: Always consider the reasons behind absences. Medical conditions, disabilities, or family emergencies require different approaches.
- Legal Compliance: Ensure your absence management complies with disability discrimination laws and employment regulations.
- Consistent Application: Apply the same thresholds and processes across similar roles to ensure fairness.
- Regular Reviews: Monitor trends over time rather than focusing on isolated scores.
- Supportive Approach: Use high scores as a trigger for supportive conversations, not just disciplinary action.
- Document Everything: Keep detailed records of all absence-related discussions and actions.
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