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Absence Rate Calculator

Based on the default pattern below, a typical rate is 4%. Adjust the inputs for your exact figure.

8 days
200 days

Absence rate

4%

How it's worked out

(8 days absent ÷ 200 possible days) × 100 = 4%

Audit note

This is the CIPD lost-time rate: absence as a percentage of total possible working time. Measure it over a consistent period so trends and team comparisons are meaningful.

Stop tracking this by hand

A Bradford score is only as accurate as the absence dates behind it. Tempry logs every request against an immutable ledger, so you're always calculating from an accurate record — not a spreadsheet you have to keep updating by hand.

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How this calculation works

Put a number on absence: estimate the direct wage cost plus indirect cover and lost-productivity cost, and measure your absence rate as a percentage of available working time.

Worked example

(8 days absent ÷ 200 possible days) × 100 = 4%

Frequently asked questions

How do you calculate absence rate?
Divide the total absence in a period by the total possible working time in the same period, then multiply by 100. For example, 8 days lost out of 200 possible working days is (8 ÷ 200) × 100 = 4%.
What is the lost time rate?
Lost time rate is the CIPD's name for the standard absence-rate measure: absence as a percentage of possible working time. It's the most common way UK employers benchmark and track sickness absence.
What is a normal absence rate?
UK sickness absence has recently averaged around 2–3% of working time, though it varies widely by sector — public-sector and frontline roles tend to run higher. Track your own rate over time rather than judging a single figure.