An introduction to the Bradford Formula

The Bradford Formula evokes mixed emotions, dependant on who you talk to. The tool itself is a simple calculation (S2 x D = B) that increases the weighting of an absence period as more absences occur.

S2 - Total number of absences squared X D - Total number of days absent = B - Bradford Score.

E.g. A member of staff has three periods of sick absence in a designated time period of a year. The first absence is 4 days, the second absence 1 day and the third absence 2 days. See below how the Bradford Score rises from one to the next.

1 absence x 1 absence x 4 days = 4

2 absences x 2 absences x 5 days = 20

3 absences x 3 absences x 7 = 63

You can see that although only three days are accrued between the first period of absence and the last period of absence, the Bradford score has increased significantly (over 15 times the original score).

Designed at Bradford University, the developers worked on an assumption that the more absences a person had, the bigger impact it would have on the running of the normal, everyday business.(As opposed to one long period of absence). Therefore, the more absences there are, the heftier the weighting attached to it.

Please note there is no defined correlation between the Bradford Factor and BMI. You can read more on BMI Calculations here.

Here are a few things to consider: (Please note that the term manager is used to cover the broader roles of employer and Human Resource department, as appropriate).

The tool is not a standalone staff management tool. The Bradford formula merely informs you of a score that a person has. It can however, act as a trigger for other systems of work, such as staff monitoring, support and development.
The Bradford Score can assist managers. The Bradford Formula calculator and chart (Link to excel ) can be organised and amended to identify warning triggers, allowing managers to monitor staff absences and support managers to raise concerns with staff, investigate issues and support as appropriate.
It does not identify causes of absence or trends. Managers have a duty of care to their staff and a responsibility to the business to equally support and challenge the information, as necessary. This can include identifying any underlying conditions and interrogating trends e.g. more absences during school breaks.
It can be useful to identify general concerns. General concerns, such as a large increase in absenteeism in a short space of time can be identified, which can lead to a more in depth information gathering exercise.

Bradford Factor Resources

Additional Bradford Factor Resources

For further information on The Bradford Factor (Use, Implementation and Record Keeping), please review our Bradford Factor guides and management strategy information.