Specsavers Corporate Eyecare today announces the results of its research into the eyecare policies of over 250 leading companies.
The results overwhelmingly highlight the confusion over what the regulations really entail.
A staggering 81% of companies are not meeting the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations by only making a contribution to the cost of an eyetest and glasses, if required solely for Visual Display Unit (VDU) use.
The regulations clearly state that the employer must pay the full costs of an eye-test and the provision of basic spectacles, where required.
Nearly one fifth (17%) of companies either do not have or do not know if they have an eyecare policy for their staff and over one fifth (21%) of companies do not communicate their policy, instead leaving employees to find out the details for themselves.
This is despite a key responsibility within the regulations stating that the employer must communicate their application clearly and effectively.
The rules are being flouted further with over a third (36%) of companies not funding an eyetest if requested more frequently than standard practice.
There is provision in the regulations for any VDU user to request an eye-test at any time outside of the defined periods if visual difficulties are experienced.
Nearly a quarter of companies (22%) do not offer company-funded eyetests to homeworkers using VDUs.
18% do so only if they are company-funded VDU screens and 18% do not even know if they cover them or not.
Home-workers should in fact be covered by eyecare provision, whether or not the equipment they are using is company-funded.
Mark Raines, Corporate and Retail Development Director for Specsavers Corporate Eyecare, says:
Sign up to our weekly round-up of HR news and guidance
Receive the Personnel Today Direct e-newsletter every Wednesday
“The regulations are in place for good reason but unfortunately they are not as clear as they could be in some areas. Less employees than perceived actually need glasses and the cost for the eyetest and VDU glasses is much lower than expected.
“It makes sense, therefore, for companies to ensure they are adhering to the regulations by using a policy of trying to include people rather than aiming to exclude them.”
