Bradford Factor Calculator
Calculate an employee's Bradford Factor using the standard S squared x D formula. Enter the number of sickness occasions and total days absent.
Enter absence information
How the Bradford Factor is calculated
S = number of separate sickness occasions
D = total number of working days absent
The Bradford Factor gives greater weight to repeated sickness absence occasions than to a single period of longer absence. It is commonly used as an absence-management indicator rather than as a standalone decision-making test.
Using the result
There is no statutory Bradford Factor score at which an employer must take action. Any trigger points used by an employer should be part of a clear absence policy and applied consistently, while allowing for individual circumstances.
- Consider the reasons for each absence and whether there is an underlying issue.
- Consider disability-related absence and whether reasonable adjustments may be appropriate.
- Consider pregnancy-related absence separately where relevant.
- Check whether the employee has been treated consistently with the organisation's policy.
- Use the score as an indicator for a conversation or review, not as an automatic disciplinary decision.
Illustrative score bands
| Calculated score | Illustrative interpretation |
|---|---|
| 0 | No sickness absence recorded in the figures entered. |
| 1 to 99 | Lower calculated score. |
| 100 to 249 | Consider the wider attendance context. |
| 250 to 499 | Potential point for an absence review, depending on your policy. |
| 500 or more | Higher calculated score which may warrant closer review under an appropriate policy. |
Further guidance
For UK absence-management guidance, see Acas guidance on absence trigger points, Acas guidance on disability-related absence and Acas guidance on recording and reducing sickness absence.
Use HRDocBox absence-management templates to support return-to-work meetings, absence reviews, trigger letters and related HR processes.