Employers failing to set up eye care policies for staff

A fifth of employers do not have an eye care policy in place for their workers and those that do are failing to make the most of the money-saving options available, according to a Specsavers study.

Bosses are required by law to meet the cost of eye care tests and corrective glasses for staff who use Visual Display Units (VDU). This means all office staff who use computer monitors throughout the day should benefit from this free legislation.

However, 20% of companies and organisations in the UK are not complying with these regulations.

Two fifths of firms reimburse their staff for eye care expenses and a third purchase eye care vouchers but many employers are unaware of the extra advantages they could benefit from such as discount vouchers for money off glasses and free upgrades to reaction lenses and designer frames.

Jim Lythgow, director of strategic alliances at Specsavers Corporate Eyecare, says: “Our research shows that a greater knowledge of corporate eyecare could result in more affordable, administratively-simpler options and the ability to offer employees increased, tangible benefits.”

Conducted jointly with Pay & Benefits magazine, the study questioned 223 heads of organisations in the public and private sector.

Kavitha Sivasubramaniam, editor of publication, said: “There is clearly an awareness vacuum when it comes to eye care policies among employers. Understandably, it can be seen as one more factor to contend with when faced with a maze of health and safety red tape. However, there is a genuine financial benefit to eye care policies that could be a real boost to businesses in the current economic climate and beyond.”

She added: “Employers are effectively throwing money down the drain by reimbursing staff eye care costs via expenses, while those that do utilise eye care vouchers are not fully taking advantage of the additional benefits that come with it.”

Using computers without taking regular breaks can lead to  blurred vision, headaches and fatigue. Experts recommend that people should move away from their screens and look into the distance to give their eyes a rest and reduce the risk of strain.

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