Forty four per cent of employers say they are concerned that some employees may have eyesight that is not adequate for driving, according to research carried out by Specsavers Corporate Eyecare.
But despite this, just a third (just 35 per cent) of employers surveyed include testing the eyesight of drivers as part of their driver policy, says the company, adding that more than half (53 per cent) of employers questioned say they never test the eyesight of employees who drive.
The Specsavers Corporate Eyecare research also found that 85 per cent of employers asked said they had had their own eyesight tested within the last two years (the typical interval advised by optometrists).
The company suggest that the cost, or perceived cost, of driver eyecare also contributes to low levels of employer involvement. They say the research revealed that just 36 per cent of employers surveyed wholly fund eyecare for drivers. However, bearing in mind the cost to the employer of a car collision (in terms of uninsured losses, such as fines, sick pay, etc), Specsavers Corporate Eyecare highlight that the survey also asked employers at what price would an eye examination and corrective glasses (if required) represent value for money? The company say:
Specsavers Corporate Eyecare highlight their Driver Eyecare eVoucher, which they say costs the employer £35 per employee, noting that at this cost, 89 per cent of employers surveyed said this represents value for money.
The Specsavers Corporate Eyecare research took place among over 120 heads of companies with a remit including driver management, health and safety or HR.
