Wrongly perceived costs of corporate eyecare could be providing a barrier to some employers complying with health and safety regulations, according to research conducted by Specsavers Corporate Eyecare.
The research, conducted in June 2015, collated the responses of 125 heads of UK companies and found that only 44 per cent of employers surveyed provide display screen equipment (DSE) eyecare to all screen users.
A spokesperson for Specsavers said: “This directly contravenes the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) regulations, which state that all workers who regularly use DSE as a significant part of their normal work must be provided with company-funded eyecare by their employer, if the worker requests it.
“It is possible that the reticence in providing what is actually obligatory care, may be linked to foreseen costs. According to the survey, 42 per cent of employers are currently paying over £50 for DSE eyecare for employees (to cover an eye examination and glasses, if required for solely DSE use). Nearly a quarter (24%) currently pay more than a staggering £75, and 22% of employers do not even know how much they are paying. In fact, DSE eyecare, covering not only the eyesight test and full eye examination, but also the glasses themselves (if required solely for VDU use) is available from just £17 per employee – the market rate paid by just 17% of employers.”
The company added that the overpayments may be due in part to the administration method chosen by employers, with 41 per cent still allowing their employees to visit the optician of their own choosing and reimbursing the cost via expenses, potentially incurring greater costs.
Jim Lythgow, director of strategic alliances for Specsavers Corporate Eyecare said: “The 40% of employers who administer their eyecare through voucher schemes are putting themselves better in control of the costs, with a view to ensuring the same level of care is received by all. A voucher scheme for eyecare is often the most cost- and time-effective option, and ensures there are no surprise expense claims for the employer to absorb. We would hope that knowing that they will be paying the same low cost for all DSE eyecare, and that employees will be receiving the same high levels of care and expertise, would make employers more likely to meet their eyecare obligations.”
