How to work out bradford score

Managing employee absence is a critical aspect of any organization’s success. One commonly used method to measure and analyze employee absence patterns is the Bradford Score. This scoring system helps employers identify and address frequent or long-term absences effectively.
The Bradford Score is calculated using a formula that takes into account the number of absence instances and the total number of days absent. By giving more weight to frequent short-term absences compared to occasional long-term absences, the Bradford Score provides a way to prioritize and address absence issues.
To work out the Bradford Score for an employee, follow these simple steps:
- Step 1: Gather the absence data for the desired period. This information should include the number of absence instances and the total number of days absent for each employee.
- Step 2: Assign points to each absence instance based on its length. For example, a single-day absence may receive 1 point, while a two-day absence could be assigned 2 points.
- Step 3: Multiply the points assigned to each instance by the number of days absent. This will give you a score for each absence instance.
- Step 4: Add up the scores for each absence instance to calculate the Bradford Score for the employee.
By working out the Bradford Score, employers can monitor and identify employees with high absence rates, enabling them to take proactive steps to address any underlying issues. Whether through adjustments to policies, support programs, or regular communication, the Bradford Score provides a valuable tool for promoting improved attendance and overall employee well-being.
Understanding the Bradford Score Calculation
The Bradford Score is a simple tool used by organizations to measure employee attendance and identify patterns of absenteeism. It helps HR departments track and manage employee absence efficiently, enabling them to take appropriate actions.
What is the Bradford Score?
The Bradford Score is a formula that calculates an employee’s absence score based on the number of absences and their cumulative length over a given period. The basic idea is that frequent short-term absences are more disruptive than sporadic, longer absences.
The formula to calculate the Bradford Score is:
Bradford Score = (S x S) x D
Where:
- S represents the total number of spells (which refers to the number of separate instances of absence),
- D represents the total number of days absent, and
- x represents multiplication (Multiply)
Why use the Bradford Score?
The Bradford Score quantifies the impact of an employee’s absence by considering both the frequency and duration of absences. By assigning higher scores to repeated absences, it highlights patterns that could be indicative of underlying health or workplace issues. This helps employers identify and take appropriate measures to address any problems proactively.
Using the Bradford Score system empowers HR professionals to prioritize managing absences more effectively and establish fair policies and procedures for leave management. It allows them to focus their efforts on those employees with high scores in order to mitigate any potential negative impact on productivity and morale.
In conclusion, by utilizing the Bradford Score calculation, organizations can better understand their employees’ absence patterns and implement strategies to improve attendance and overall employee well-being.
What is the Bradford Score?
The Bradford Score is a calculation used by companies and organizations to measure an employee’s absenteeism. It takes into account both the number of occasions an employee is absent from work and the total length of time they are absent.
The calculation is based on a formula that assigns a score to each absence based on the number of days missed. The longer the period of absence, the higher the score. This means that repeated short absences can result in a higher Bradford Score than a single long absence.
Why is the Bradford Score used?
The Bradford Score is used to identify employees with high levels of absence, which can indicate underlying issues such as employee dissatisfaction, health problems, or poor working conditions. It provides a way for employers to monitor and address excessive absence to ensure the smooth running of their organization.

By tracking employees’ Bradford Score over time, employers can identify patterns of absence and take appropriate action. This may involve discussions with the employee, offering support or adjustments, or implementing measures to reduce absenteeism.
How is the Bradford Score calculated?
The Bradford Score is calculated using the following formula:
Bradford Score = (S x S) x D

S represents the total number of separate absences within a specific time frame. F
or example, if an employee has been absent on three separate occasions in a given period, their S value would be 3.
D represents the total number of days absent within the same time frame. If each of the three absences mentioned previously lasted for 2 days, the D value would be 6 (2 days x 3 absences).
Once the S and D values are determined, they are multiplied together, and the resulting number provides the employee’s Bradford Score. The higher the score, the higher the level of absenteeism.
Overall, the Bradford Score provides a straightforward and practical way for employers to monitor and manage employee absence levels, promoting accountability and facilitating discussions around attendance and well-being in the workplace.

Calculation of the Bradford Score
The Bradford Score is a tool used by employers to track and assess employee absenteeism. It is based on the principle that recurring absences have a higher impact on the business than one-off absences. The score helps employers identify employees with a high number of absences and take appropriate actions to manage their attendance.
Formula
The Bradford Score is calculated using the following formula:
B = S2 x D
- B represents the Bradford Score.
- S represents the total number of instances of absence within a specified period.
- D represents the total number of days of absence by an employee within the same specified period.
Interpretation
The higher the Bradford Score, the greater the impact of an employee’s absences on the business. By comparing the scores of different employees, employers can identify those with the highest scores and take necessary actions to manage their attendance effectively.
An employee with a low Bradford Score is likely to have taken only a few absence instances or missed a few days of work over the specified period. On the other hand, an employee with a high Bradford Score may have frequent absences or longer periods of absence, indicating a potential issue with their attendance.

However, it’s important for employers to consider external factors such as serious illness or other personal circumstances that may contribute to an employee’s high Bradford Score. By taking a holistic view, employers can address attendance issues while also providing support and understanding to employees.
In conclusion, the Bradford Score is a useful tool that allows employers to prioritize attendance management efforts by identifying employees with the highest impact on the business. It helps create a fair and consistent approach to managing absenteeism in the workplace, while also considering individual circumstances.
Interpreting the Bradford Score
Once you have calculated an employee’s Bradford Score, it is important to be able to interpret the score to assess the level of absence and potential risk. The Bradford Score is a simple yet effective tool that can provide valuable insights.
Here are some guidelines to help you interpret the Bradford Score:
Bradford Score | Level of Absence | Risk Level |
---|---|---|
< 10 | Low | Low |
10 – 49 | Medium | Medium |
50 – 149 | High | High |
> 149 | Very high | Very high |
The level of absence can help you determine if an employee has a consistently high or sporadic absenteeism pattern. A low level of absence may indicate that the employee has good attendance, while a high level of absence may suggest a potential issue that needs to be addressed.

The risk level is a measure of the impact an employee’s absence can have on their team or organization. A low-risk level indicates that the employee’s absence is not severely affecting operations, while a high-risk level suggests that their absence may cause disruption or additional workload for other team members.
Remember that the Bradford Score is just a tool and should be used in conjunction with other factors such as an employee’s individual circumstances and performance. It is important to have open and supportive communication with employees to understand any underlying reasons for absence and to implement appropriate actions or support mechanisms.
Using the Bradford Score for Attendance Management
The Bradford Score is a tool used in attendance management to assess an employee’s attendance and identify any patterns of frequent absence. It helps employers proactively manage absenteeism and implement measures to reduce it. The score is calculated by assigning points to each absence occurrence, taking into account the number of absences and the duration of each absence.
To calculate the Bradford Score, an employer must first determine the allowed number of absence occurrences within a specific time frame, typically a rolling euantity of 52 weeks. Each absence occurrence is assigned a predetermined value, such as four for a single-day absence, or 10 for a two-day absence.
Example:
Let’s assume an employer allows a maximum of 6 absence occurrences in a year. An employee takes three single-day absences during a rolling 52-week period, accumulating a Bradford Score of 12 (3 absences x 4 points per absence).
The Bradford Score provides employers with a quantitative measure for interpreting an employee’s level of absence. This measure considers both the frequency and the duration of absences, allowing employers to identify potential attendance issues before they become more significant problems.
Benefits of Using the Bradford Score for Attendance Management
The Bradford Score offers several benefits when applied to attendance management:
- Objective Assessment: The Bradford Score provides an objective way for employers to analyze attendance levels, ensuring impartiality and eliminating bias.
- Early Intervention: By identifying attendance patterns, employers can intervene early to help individuals improve their attendance habits before they become more severe issues.
- Strategic Attendance Management: Employers can use the Bradford Score to plan adequate resources, schedule temporary cover, and ensure business continuity during periods of high absence.
- Identifying Trends: Analyzing Bradford Scores across departments or teams can help identify trends and patterns, allowing employers to implement targeted absence reduction strategies.
In conclusion, the Bradford Score is a powerful tool for employers to monitor and manage employee attendance. By measuring both the frequency and duration of absences, employers can gain insight into attendance patterns and take appropriate measures to reduce absenteeism in the workplace.