Alden Bradford Calculator
Calculate the Bradford Factor for absenteeism impact
Understanding the Alden Bradford Calculator
The Alden Bradford Calculator is an essential tool utilized primarily in Human Resources and workforce management to calculate the Bradford Factor. This metric is designed to weigh the impact of employee absenteeism on an organization's efficiency.
Unlike simple calculations of total days lost, the Alden Bradford methodology places a significantly higher weighting on the frequency of absence (spells) rather than the total duration. The theory suggests that frequent, short, unplanned absences are more disruptive to business operations than fewer, longer planned absences.
The Formula
The calculator uses the standard formula:
B = S² × D
- B = The resulting Bradford Score.
- S = Spells (Total number of separate absence instances).
- D = Days (Total number of days absent over the rolling period).
Calculation Examples
To understand the disparity in scores based on frequency, consider three employees who were all absent for exactly 10 days in a year:
- Employee A: 1 absence of 10 days.
Calculation: 1² × 10 = 10 Points (Minimal Impact). - Employee B: 5 absences of 2 days each.
Calculation: 5² × 10 = 25 × 10 = 250 Points (Moderate Impact). - Employee C: 10 absences of 1 day each.
Calculation: 10² × 10 = 100 × 10 = 1,000 Points (Critical Impact).
Interpreting the Score
While thresholds vary by organization, the Alden Bradford Calculator typically categorizes scores into the following trigger points:
- 0 – 50: No concern. Standard healthy attendance.
- 51 – 200: Verbal Warning or Initial Review. Pattern is emerging.
- 201 – 400: Written Warning. The disruption is becoming significant.
- 401 – 640: Final Warning. Serious disciplinary issues.
- 640+: Grounds for Dismissal or severe intervention.
Use this calculator to objectively monitor trends and ensure fair, data-driven discussions regarding attendance and workforce reliability.