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Free absence calculator

Bradford Factor calculator

Calculate S² × D from absence spells or totals. See the working, then use the score to start a fair conversation rather than make an automatic decision.

  • Free to use
  • No signup
  • No automatic judgement
Use the calculator

Calculate the Bradford Factor

Enter separate absence spells or the totals you already have, then see the score and full S² × D working.
How do you want to enter the absences?
days
days
days

A spell is one continuous absence, however long: the Monday counts the same as the fortnight. Count whole working days over the last 52 weeks.

Bradford Factor score 36. 3 spells and 4 days absent.

36Bradford Factor score: 3 spells, 4 days absent

Review points belong to each employer's absence policy. Use the score to prompt a fair conversation about the pattern and the circumstances, not an automatic decision.

The working

  1. S (separate spells) = 3
  2. D (total days) = 1 + 2 + 1 = 4
  3. S² = 3 × 3 = 9
  4. B = S² × D = 9 × 4 = 36

Why frequency dominates

  • One more 1-day spell: score becomes 80 (+44)
  • One more day on an existing spell: score becomes 45 (+9)

What the score cannot see

  • Consider whether disability, pregnancy or another protected reason changes how an absence should be treated. Do not apply an automatic trigger, and take advice if you are unsure.
  • The score is evidence of a pattern, not a verdict about a person. Review points belong to each employer's policy and should prompt a fair conversation, not an automatic decision.

Basis: Widely used formula B = S² × D; this calculator uses a 52-week window. Official sources separate the formula from its limitations and the fair process that a raw score cannot replace.

Registers of Scotland formulaGOV.UK limitations researchAcas trigger-point guidance
The method

What the score measures

The formula gives repeated short absences more weight than one longer absence with the same number of days.
  1. 1

    Count separate spells

    S is the number of separate absence spells in the period covered by your policy.

  2. 2

    Count days absent

    D is the total number of working days absent across those spells.

  3. 3

    Square S, then multiply by D

    The formula is B = S² × D. A score is context for a review, not a finding about conduct or capability.

Worked example

Worked example: three short spells

An employee has three spells of one, two and one working days over the period.

Inputs

  • 3 separate spells
  • 4 working days absent
  • Employer-defined review period

Working

  1. S (separate spells) = 3
  2. D (total days) = 1 + 2 + 1 = 4
  3. S² = 3 × 3 = 9
  4. B = S² × D = 9 × 4 = 36

The Bradford Factor score is 36. What happens next depends on the employer's policy and the circumstances behind the absence.

Use it with context

Use the score with the full absence record

Use the number alongside the absence record, the employee's circumstances and a fair process.

This calculator covers

  • Separate absence spells and total days
  • Transparent S² × D working
  • A quick view of how frequency changes the score
  • A consistent calculation from the same inputs

Check the full guidance for

  • Disability, pregnancy or another protected reason
  • Long-term health and reasonable adjustments
  • The review points in your own absence policy
  • Any disciplinary or capability decision
From calculation to record

Look at the absence record, not only the score

HollyHR keeps sickness dates, notes and documents together so a manager can understand the pattern before speaking with the employee.

See sickness absence in HollyHR
Questions

About the bradford factor calculator

What is the Bradford Factor formula?

The formula is B = S² × D, where S is the number of separate absence spells and D is the total number of working days absent in the period.

Can a Bradford score decide disciplinary action?

It should not make the decision on its own. A fair process needs the absence record, the employee's explanation and consideration of disability, pregnancy and other relevant circumstances.

What counts as one absence spell?

One continuous period of absence counts as one spell, whether it lasts one working day or several. Use the definition and review period stated in your policy.

Does HollyHR automatically act on a Bradford score?

No. HollyHR records sickness absence. The calculator gives a transparent number for context; it does not make an employment decision.

Keep going

Useful next steps

GuideManaging sickness absence
TemplateSickness absence policy
GlossaryBradford Factor

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Keep sickness dates, notes and documents together, so managers can review the pattern with the context the score cannot see.

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