HR and accounting professionals are experiencing the highest rates of absenteeism across all UK sectors, with an average Bradford Factor score of 113 – significantly above other industries.
That’s according to new data from employment and payroll platform Employment Hero, based on analysis of anonymised data from more than 105,000 employees.
The Bradford Factor is a widely used metric that quantifies employee absenteeism over a defined period, typically a year. A score of 100 or above is often regarded as high, suggesting frequent absences that may require further HR intervention. In contrast, the education and training sector recorded a score of just 25, indicating low levels of absenteeism.
Kevin Fitzgerald, UK Managing Director at Employment Hero, said, “Sadly, the high rates of absenteeism are not surprising given the typically high workloads and stress many professionals experience, but these rates must be taken seriously. These numbers should prompt serious reflection across the industry. High absenteeism – especially among younger, more junior employees – suggests a disconnect somewhere in how we’re supporting early career talent.”
Gen Z professionals report highest absenteeism scores
The data also shows a generational divide in absenteeism patterns. Among HR and accounting professionals, Gen Z workers aged 18 to 24 recorded an average Bradford Factor of 185. This is well above the high-risk threshold and may point to underlying issues relating to engagement, stress or wellbeing.
Fitzgerald said, “HR and accounting are the engine rooms of any business and the cost of lost time and productivity is significant. The health and wellbeing of these professionals underpins the health and wellbeing of the workforces they manage and support, so it’s vital professionals in HR and accounting get the help they need and these rates are reduced substantially.”
Further data from Employment Hero’s recent workforce wellbeing research supports these findings. It showed that 72 percent of Gen Z workers reported symptoms of burnout over the past three months, highlighting a need for greater focus on mental health and sustainable work practices for younger employees.
Absenteeism prevalent in larger organisations and junior roles
Company size also appears to influence absenteeism rates. Larger organisations with over 500 employees showed an average Bradford Factor of 73, more than twice that of small businesses with fewer than 20 staff, which had a score of 33. Full-time workers recorded a higher score of 48, compared to 37 for part-time workers and 18 for those in casual roles.
In terms of seniority, junior and intermediate staff reported the highest absenteeism scores at 43 and 48 respectively. By contrast, director-level employees had a much lower average of 23, suggesting that absenteeism decreases with job seniority.
Fitzgerald added, “This is part of a wider challenge. Our latest Jobs Report shows Gen Z employment fell by 1.9 percent in April, with wages for this group also declining by 0.2 percent. These trends highlight a real risk of long-term disengagement and economic impact. Gen Z are the future of our workforce – and if we don’t act now to support them, the consequences could reverberate across the economy for years to come.”
