On-the-ground research announced today by Specsavers Corporate Eyecare shows that Public Sector organisations could be collectively overspending by up to £133.5million on obligatory eyecare for their staff.
The Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations require employers to provide all employees who use visual display units (VDUs), with eye tests, when requested, and glasses, if required. Whilst this service can be provided for as little as £17 per employee, Specsavers has discovered that poor procurement decisions are resulting in Public Sector organisations typically spending between £50 and £80 per employee, and some as much as £200. With virtually all jobs now entailing some use of VDUs, multiplied by the 6.093million people employed in the Public Sector, this could result in a massive overspend of more than £133.5million.
Laura Butler, Corporate Account Manager for Specsavers Corporate Eyecare, says, “Whilst this is a huge overspend for the Public Sector as a whole it is equally disturbing when you consider that a relatively small Public Sector organisation, employing just 1,000 people, could still be paying more than £21,000 over the odds, just by choosing the wrong eyecare provider. It is vital for Public Sector organisations to realise that there are much more cost-effective solutions to the eyecare regulations. Schemes like eyecare vouchers, directed solely at covering the VDU regulations in one package, can often work out to be far less expensive in money, time and effort spent by each Public Sector organisation.”
A VDU Voucher from Specsavers Corporate Eyecare costs £17 and includes:
A full eye examination and eyesight test
The provision of a pair of single-vision glasses, selected from the £45 range, when they are required solely for VDU use
The opportunity for employees to add their own contributions to upgrade to any of the Specsavers glasses ranges, taking advantage of in-store offers such as 2 for 1, whilst still benefiting fully from the £45 contribution towards the total purchase
A £20 Premium Club discount that can be used against any purchase from the £99 range and above, even for employees who do not require glasses solely for VDU purposes
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A choice of both metal and plastic frames from a range of 150
The scheme allows employees to meet their obligations under the Health & Safety Display Screen Regulations in one transaction, with one voucher. The vouchers can be bought in advance by the employer, dramatically reducing administration times and costs.
