The Bradford Factors system

The relative weight of length of absence versus the number of separate periods of absence that an employee takes are what drive trigger points based on the Bradford Factors system. Its use appears to be growing, but it has been criticised for using a crude, non-scientific way of giving certain types of absence an extreme weighting.

It calculates a score for sickness absence using the formula SxSxD, where S is the number of occasions of sickness absence in a year and D the total number of days absence in the same period. Frequent short absences attract a high score.

The absence policy for Dorset Police Staff indicates that the Bradford Factors formula is used as “one of” the methods for determining whether or not an individual has an acceptable attendance record. As a default position, individuals who have a score of 192 and over, four or more periods of sickness during the preceding 12 months or an absence of 28 days and over will be automatically considered as having an “unsuitable” attendance record.

At Falmouth University absence triggers are three or more occasions in any 13-week period; five or more occasions or 10 or more days in any 12-month period; 28 days consecutive absence (the long-term absence trigger) or a Bradford Score of 250 or more.