Specsavers Corporate Eyecare has released new comprehensive research into eyecare policies across UK companies. The figures reveal that nearly three quarters of companies (73%) are not complying with Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations.

The research, conducted among 187 HR managers, and representing up to 448,000 employees, shows that whilst companies are generally keen to offer an effective eyecare policy, there is still widespread misunderstanding of the regulations. The majority of respondents (73%) state the deciding factor in offering eyecare to their employees is to be a responsible employer, and not just to comply with regulations. Furthermore, 42% believe their employees view eyecare as equally important as other benefits. A worrying 13% do not, however, have an eyecare policy at all. This puts them in breach of the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) regulations but could also have repercussions under the corporate manslaughter act.

It is the funding of VDU eyecare that causes particular confusion. 53% of companies make a contribution to eyetests and glasses, if required for VDU use; 13% will fund the eyetest but not the glasses; 2% will fund the glasses but not the eyetest; and 5% insist the employee must meet the full cost themselves. This means a massive 73% of companies are not complying with the regulations which clearly state that both the eyetest and glasses, if required for VDU use, should be wholly funded by the company.

Laura Butler, Corporate Account Manager for Specsavers Corporate Eyecare, says: 'We believe that much of the issue is the perceived cost of eyecare. Our research shows 16% of employers would expect to pay over £100 for an eyetest plus glasses for VDU use and 71% would expect to pay over £50. Only 13% correctly believe that this is actually possible for less than £20. This is perhaps an indication of just how many are paying over the odds for basic eyecare.'

The figures show 20% of respondents state that recent events like the recession and the expenses scandal have now made them much more careful regarding the costs of benefits. It is an interesting link that eyecare vouchers are now seen as the obvious choice for administering an eyecare policy:

• 65% of employers would select eyecare vouchers to cover their employees’ eyecare needs because of the cost savings for the employer
• 64% would do so for the ease of use for employees
• 53% would do so for consistency for all employees
• 48% would do so for the savings on administration time for the employer
• 21% would do so for the peripheral offers and discounts that come with the vouchers

The team at Specsavers Corporate Eyecare were particularly impressed by the knowledge of respondents regarding the wider benefits of full eye examinations:

• Surprisingly, 62% of respondents knew that a full eye examination can aid the detection of diabetes
• 63% knew it could provide an indication of overall health and 61% knew it could detect indicators of wider health issues
• 78% also thought full eye examinations gave positive reinforcement of the company caring for its employees.

'With all this is mind,” continued Laura “it seems amazing that 13% of companies do not have an eyecare policy at all.'