What is the Bradford Factor?
The Bradford Factor is a metric used in human resource management to measure employee absenteeism and its impact on an organization. It is a calculation that assigns a numerical value to an employee's absence history based on the frequency and duration of their absences.
How to calculate the Bradford factor?
The Bradford factor formula is calculated by the Bradford factor, which places more weight on frequent short-term absences compared to infrequent long-term absences, as it assumes that repeated short-term absences have a greater impact on the organization's productivity and operations.
The Bradfords factor formula is as follows:
S stands for ‘spells,’ which are absences over a set period
D is the “total number of days of absence” over the same period, and
B is the “resulting Bradford factor”
Thus, the formula for the Bradford factor is: S2XD = B
How is the Bradford Factor useful to organizations?
The Bradford Factor can provide several potential benefits to organizations when used as a tool for managing employee attendance and absenteeism. Some of these benefits include:
1. Identifying patterns of absenteeism: This factor helps HR managers and employers identify patterns of absenteeism among employees. By calculating and tracking Bradford Factor scores over time, it becomes easier to identify employees who have frequent or recurring absences, allowing for early interventions and targeted management strategies.
2. Acts as a warning notice to employees: The Bradford Factor can serve as a deterrent for employees to take frequent short-term absences, as it places more weight on such absences. Knowing that their absence history is being objectively measured and quantified may motivate employees to improve their attendance and reduce unplanned absences.
What is the good or bad Bradford Factor score?
In a Bradford Factor, the higher scores suggest an employee’s absence rate is having a more negative impact on the organization.
Under 50 score- Average score of an employee
Over 50- Basic monitoring
Over 100- Employers must keep a watch on the patterns
Between 200-500- A signal that something is going on that needs to be addressed
Over 500- Potential grounds for dismissal or an in-depth meeting
Use of a Bradfactor and HR Software:
Did you know that an HR Software can assist you in calculating the Bradford factors with the help of an applicant tracking system? It will help you monitor the number of leaves an employee is taking and keep track of an individual's patterns. Do you want to see how it works? Try out a free demo with peopleHum, which can help you handle holiday requests and track all types of leaves as well as manage other core hr processes.