Is the Bradford Factor All That Important?

The Bradford factor is an absence-oriented key performance indicator (KPI) designed to put a number behind the disruptive potential of ‘one-off’ absences when taken together. It is designed on the premise that short-term absences are more disruptive for an organization than long-term ones (like a planned vacation).

For many employers, absenteeism can be a crucial issue that affects both performance and company culture. That is why knowing more about it, and how to measure it, is top-of-mind for so many.

Essentially, having a compendium of Bradford scores is an easy way to get a handle on absenteeism and quantify it in a meaningful way for your organization.

How do you calculate your Bradford score? The formula is as follows:

S × D = B

Let’s break down each of these variables:

• S stands for ‘spells,’ which are absences over a set period

• D is the total number of days of absence over the same period

• B is the resulting Bradford factor

In most cases, this set period is one year (52 weeks).

Here is an example to help illustrate finding an employee’s Bradford score…

Let’s say we have two employees: Employee A and Employee B. Employee A recently came down with an illness and was sick for 10 days. Employee B was in relatively good health, but in that same period was sick on three separate occasions for a total of 10 days.

There Bradford scores would break down as follows:

• Employee A: 1 x 10 = 10

• Employee B: 3 x 10 = 90

In this case, Employee B’s multitude of absences, even though it amounted to the same number of days, would theoretically be more disruptive to business.

Essentially, a higher Bradford score means a potentially more damaging effect on the business. This isn’t always the case, but let’s try and set some benchmarks:

Keep in mind, though, that this is far from set in stone. No two Bradford scores may be the same, and they may require a lot of context behind them. A Bradford score alone is not an indicator of how ‘good’ or ‘bad’ an employee is, it should be used more in context and as a signal that triggers actions that lead to decisions (and not decisions in and of themselves).

Some companies may choose to identify trigger points with various Bradford scores, meaning that when an employee has reached a high enough number, something occurs. Here’s an example of what might happen:

The issue is that these numbers are not set in stone, and the formula itself is relative to how a business or organization chooses to weigh it. While the scores typically climb with the severity of the action taken, this is only a rough example of how it might work.

Essentially, Bradford scores typically lack a lot of nuances. This is specifically related to the uniqueness of a workforce and how one type of absence is not necessarily equal to other kinds.

That’s because the Bradford factor is a calculation that doesn’t have the capacity to weigh these different kinds of absences, treating a day off work the same as it would a severe illness, a tragedy, or disability. They all appear the same.

That has also made the Bradford factor, when used alone, a topic of criticism and controversy. Therefore, it is best used as a measuring tool that informs a much larger discussion around absence and performance management.

It is a means to an end, but it is not the end-all and be-all.

The Bradford factor is a formula that can streamline the time of an HR department, but it still takes time to implement it. So, not only is the dataset less than reliable (or, at least, without context), it can take time from reliving the issues of absenteeism in the first place.

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Now that we understand the Bradford factor as one tool in a much larger discussion around performance management, let’s discuss what works about it.

The main thing is that it is easy. Bradford scores can offer a very quick, and very streamlined, way of calculating absences and having a very rough idea of what it means to the business.

Think of it as a signal. If an employee has an incredibly high Bradford score, it may not be enough evidence to warrant dismissal (or even a warning). It does, however, signal to HR that they may need more context and understanding of what is happening.

It can also reveal patterns within teams and departments of an organization, again serving as a signal that perhaps it is worth understanding why these things are happening. In and of itself, though, the Bradford factor is not definitive reasoning for punishment.

For instance, if HR noticed that certain months or time periods varied wildly in terms of absences, they could act more proactively in terms of offering flexible work, or developed initiatives to help with mental health in the workplace.

In its best light, then, the Bradford factor can be an empowering tool for HR to focus more on strategy rather than highlighting specific absences among employees.

As we discussed today, the Bradford Factor is merely one element of absence management. Therefore, it should be used in coordination with larger efforts and a more nuanced approach to tracking and evaluating when employees are away.

That said, building that system takes time. That’s why trusting an HR software that helps make absence management simpler can offer cleaner, more reliable, and ultimately, more actionable data for you and your organization.

Personio can help. Using our absence management tool, HR can have a quick glimpse at who is in the office, who is out, and what those trends mean over time. It means fewer calculations for your team, and cleaner data so you can focus on making changes and improvements.

This, in turn, helps with workforce planning and strategic HR initiatives. That’s because your team has the time, and the ability, to act on data that they would otherwise be calculating. Click on the banner below to learn more today.

The world of work is only becoming more complex. The last thing you should be worrying about is calculating holiday entitlements, tracking them or ensuring you are legally compliant. Allow us to help.

Personio is an all-in-one HR software that helps upgrade your people operations for now and the future. That includes a leave management software that can manage holiday requests, track every kind of leave (from emergencies to sicknesses and bank holidays) alongside all of your other core HR processes.

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