Eye care: What you need to know

Eye watering statistics from a recent survey reveal that a large number of British employers are failing to comply with laws obliging them to care for the eyesight of their computer using employees. Here we present a definitive guide to what you need to provide to employees and what their rights in this area are.

Employers with staff who use computer screens are obliged by the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1993 to provide those workers with regular eye tests on request. However, a research study, commissioned by Simplyhealth in conjunction with the Eyecare Trust of HR professionals has found that one in five big businesses (of 1,000 plus employees) fail to pay for regular sight tests and only a third of small employers (less than 10 employees) cover the cost.

Employers must pay for special spectacles where these are required for DSE use only, yet 40% of employers surveyed say they would refuse to make a contribution towards 'DSE spectacles'.

Despite the law coming into effect in 1993, one in ten employers has no eye care policy at all. It appears that 17 years on there is still misunderstanding about what the Regulations actually mean for employers. Although caring for employees' eyes may not be the top priority in this tough economic climate, Sarah Embleton of Burges Salmon LLP explains that knowing what employees are entitled to could put employers ahead of the game.

Please log in to read further...