What is, and should I use Weighted Average?

  • Thread starter Thread starter ArcticWolf
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A

ArcticWolf

Hi,

I calculate Sickness and Absence (S&A) data for my company, by department.
Each department can have between 5 - 100 people in it. I currently do a S&A
% of the department and then as company as a whole.

Because in one team we could have 5/10 people off = 50% S&A rate, yet in
another department 5/100 = 5%.

Is there a better way of calculating the % S&A for each department that will
give more meaningful data?

Thanks in advance,

AW
 
Haven't you answered the question yourself, calculate the average per
department based on the number in that department.

Other than that, you have given us nothing to go on.
 
Good question!!

Never average the percentages.
Always get the totals and then calculate a percentage:

(5+5)/(10+100)=
10/110=
9.09%
 
ArcticWolf said:
Hi,

I calculate Sickness and Absence (S&A) data for my company, by department.
Each department can have between 5 - 100 people in it. I currently do a S&A
% of the department and then as company as a whole.

Because in one team we could have 5/10 people off = 50% S&A rate, yet in
another department 5/100 = 5%.

Is there a better way of calculating the % S&A for each department that will
give more meaningful data?

Thanks in advance,

AW
Click to expand...


You would use a weighted average for the company as a whole. With your example
above, the company would have a S&A rate of 9.09%, which is calculated as total
"off" / total people [(5 + 5) / (10 + 100)]. That would be different than if
you would "average the averages" [(50% + 5%) / 2 = 27.5%].
 
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