Skip to content
KivoHR

Home / Glossary

Bradford factor

A score for short, frequent sickness absence: the number of separate spells squared, times the total days off. It weighs many short absences more heavily than one long one. Acas advises leaving out absence linked to pregnancy or a disability before relying on it.

Use the free tool: Bradford factor calculator

A short definition for UK employers, not legal advice. Checked 8 November 2026.

We use essential cookies to make this site work. With your agreement we’d also use website statistics: no advertising, nothing that identifies you.