The Panopticon of Wellness Initiatives Orwell, Bradford Factor, and Punitive Surveillance

Abstract

This article critiques Attendance Management Programs (AMPs) in British Columbia schools, arguing that their framing as “wellness initiatives” obscures functions of surveillance and control. Focusing on the Bradford Factor, the author contends that it lacks empirical validity and operates as a punitive mechanism that oversimplifies complex human behaviors. The paper highlights discriminatory impacts on individuals with chronic illness, caregiving responsibilities, and mental health challenges, while also promoting presenteeism and undermining genuine well-being. Rejecting quantitative monitoring models, it advocates for holistic, qualitative approaches centered on employee engagement, trust, and systemic understanding as more effective and ethical responses to absenteeism.