Frequency Rate

This method shows the average number of absences per employee

Number of spells of absence in the period x 100, divided by the number of employees

For example, if in one month an organisation employed on average 80 workers, and during this time there were a total of 16 spells of absence, the frequency rate is:

16 divided by 80 x 100 = 20%

By counting the number of employees who take at least one spell of absence in the period, rather than total number of spells of absence, this calculation gives an individual frequency rate.

Bradford Factor

The Bradford Factor identifies persistent short-term absence for individuals, by measuring the number of spells of absence, and is therefore a useful measure of the disruption. It is calculated using the formula as follows:

S x S x D
S = number of spells of absence in 52 weeks taken by an individual
D = number of days of absence in 52 weeks taken by that individual

For example:
10 one-day absences: 10 x 10 x 10 = 1,000
1 ten-day absence: 1 x 1 x 10 = 10
5 two-day absences: 5 x 5 x 10 = 250
2 five-day absences: 2 x 2 x 10 = 40

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