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Bradford Factor Calculator

Monitor patterns of short-term absence using the Bradford Factor formula. This calculator helps employers identify attendance trends and trigger appropriate conversations around employee wellbeing, attendance, and support needs.

Absence details

Usually measured over a rolling 52-week period. Enter each separate spell of absence, or switch to quick entry if you already know the totals.

Most employers count working days the employee was due to work.
Bradford Factor score
0

B = S² × D

Spells of absence (S)
0
Total days absent (D)
0

How it works

The Bradford Factor gives more weight to frequent, short absences than to a single longer one, because repeated short absences are often more disruptive. For example, one 10-day absence scores 1 × 1 × 10 = 10, while ten 1-day absences score 10 × 10 × 10 = 1,000.

Important considerations

  • Exclude absence related to pregnancy or maternity. Counting it risks discrimination.
  • Consider whether absence is linked to a disability. Reasonable adjustments, such as adjusted trigger points, may be needed under the Equality Act 2010.
  • Use the score to start a supportive conversation, not as an automatic trigger for disciplinary action.
  • Any trigger points should be set out clearly in your absence policy and applied consistently, in line with ACAS guidance.
Disclaimer. Our calculators and tools are designed to provide general guidance and estimated calculations only. They should not be relied upon as legal advice or used as the sole basis for employment decisions. Employers should ensure all workplace matters are handled fairly, consistently, and in accordance with current legislation, company policies, and ACAS guidance.