What are employees entitled to in terms of eyecare/glasses?

I think you will find that they don't have to pay a penny towards anty of your eye care products but do have to pay for your eye test if you work with Computer Screens all day .
 
I don,t work with computers(i,m a welder/fabricator),i got 2 for the price of one from Tesco,s,my first glasse,s ever btw,and my company re-embursed me the full amount of £135.00.
Asked my manager what the deal was,he took my bill to head office,and the money was put into my account,no questions asked,not of me anyway.:)
 
basically seems a very grey area, from the government website advising employee rights:


Free eye tests

Studies haven't shown a link between VDU use and damage to eyesight, but if you feel that using a VDU screen is making your eyes tired, tell your employer or employee safety representative.

You have the right to a free eyesight test if you use, or are about to use, a VDU a lot during work hours. You can also get more free tests if recommended by the optometrist.

If you're prescribed glasses to help you work with a VDU, your employer must pay for a basic pair of glasses, provided they're needed especially for your work.
 
My understanding is that if using a computer forms a significant part of your job, then the company has a duty of care under the health and safety at work act. This, for me at places I've worked, has normally involved going for a sight test, and giving the company the bill. As I need glasses specifically for computer use, they are classes as personal protective equipment, same as safety shoes, high vis vests, and the company is required to make a contribution toward the cost.

SO, in practice - if the company can get you a pair of glasses that can reasonably do the job for £50, then that is the limit of their contribution, and if you choose to get designer frames, then you pay the rest.
 
Why should companies pay towards your eyecare?

It was you who applied for the job working with computers, You seem to know already that this worsens your eyesight. So why are they liable for it?

It's not like in the old days working with paint where they still used lead.
 
May I suggest you give some thought before posting something that silly. If you're going to use that argument, then why should a police force pay for an officer's stab vest, or the fire brigade pay for an officer's breathing aparatus? In each case they're required to do the job, and in each case the applicant knew (or should have known) the risks.
 
Reality|Bites said:
Why should companies pay towards your eyecare?

It was you who applied for the job working with computers, You seem to know already that this worsens your eyesight. So why are they liable for it?

It's not like in the old days working with paint where they still used lead.
Click to expand...

I'm with Berserker on this, why the heck would you think that?

Surely your of the opinion that anyone working in in the police/fire/armed forces should receive no compensation and no help towards protection simply because "they know what they're getting into"
 
Reality|Bites said:
Why should companies pay towards your eyecare?
Click to expand...

Cos then you dont have days off with migranes which end up costing more in the long run and perks like this help with recruitment?

I offer free eyecare and dental to all my employees :p The optical is about £300 a year they can claim.
 
Reality|Bites said:
OK I see your point but they will be using the glasses outside of work also. You don't see the policeman wearing his stab vest watching the TV etc...
Click to expand...

Do you suggest a prescription optical device should be swapped between employees on shift?

'They will'? So what if they do wear them outside work, they require them for VDU work and they are not consumables with a finite life.

Purplexing outlook on this one. Stab jacket is part of his uniform anyway.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom