10 reasons to update your policy

A fresh look at Eyecare

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Employer eyecareobligations:The ten essential things you need to know

Employee eyecare is a legal obligation for every employerSince 1992 every employer has been obliged to pay the full cost of an eye test for employees who regularly use VDUs at work. If they need glasses solely to do this work then you have to pay for these too.

You now need to consider tablet and smartphone usersThe rules on eyecare apply to the regular use of display screen equipment. With the number of regular tablet and smartphones users proliferating in the workplace that means that they are eligible for free sight tests too.

The rules aren’t just for employees who use screensAlthough the main focus of the law is for screen users, employer responsibility for eyecare also extends to employees who need protective eyewear to do their work. Though not compulsory, you may want to consider employees who regularly drive for work too.

Many employees overlook their eyecareNearly 12.5m people who need regular eye tests fail to take them each year according to the charity RNIB. Meanwhile research from the insurer Egg found the eyesight of one in six drivers was too poor to pass the requirements of a driving test.

The majority of employers don’t comply with the law Research from The Eyecare Trust in 2010 found that 89% of employers don’t comply with the laws around employee eyecare. One in five smaller businesses said they had no eyecare provision at all, while 18% of large employers failed to pay for sight tests - something which they are obliged to do.

A lack of compliance could lead to prosecutionFailure to provide eyecare doesn’t just leave you in breach of health and safety legislation but could leave you exposed under the 2007 Corporate Manslaughter Act. If, because of poor eyesight, a driver on company business had an accident an employer could be held liable even though it is the employee’s responsibility to get their eyes checked.

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A policy is the best way to protect yourselfThe best way to meet your obligations is to draw up a simple policy which you review each year. That way you can clarify the responsibilities for you and your employees and stay on the right side of the law.

Eyecare Vouchers cut out the hassleEyecare schemes which work by employees paying and then claiming for their eye tests through expenses create paperwork, hassle and extra costs. Working with a corporate Eyecare Voucher provider will reduce the administration and associated costs and help with expense management and control.

Eyecare schemes are also a valued employee benefitWith the issue of employee wellbeing moving up the agenda for employers, eyecare schemes can also be positioned as an employee benefit - particularly if they are offered alongside cash plans or employee discount schemes which save money on other healthcare costs.

Communication is key to compliance Whether you decide to treat eyecare as a benefit or compliance issue, it is vital you tell your employees who is eligible and what your eyecare arrangements are.

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What you can do next

Download our full guide to employer eyecare Go to www.edenred.co.uk/fresh-look-at-eyecare to find a guide to creating an eyecare policy, setting up an eyecare scheme and communicating it to employees.

Get the right advice If you’re not clear about which employees are eligible for eyecare make sure you get advice either from an employment lawyer or from an Eyecare Voucher provider like us.

Communicate and drive up participation in your existing schemeWhether you are talking about your current scheme or introducing a new one, use National Eye Health week from September 22- 28 to talk to your employees about the support you offer them.

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If you think you need to take action to meet your eyecare obligations there are three things you should do:

About Eye Health WeekNational Eye Health Week is an annual awareness week where UK eyecare charities, organisations and health professionals work together to promote the importance of eye health and the need for regular sight tests for all.

The website www.visionmatters.org.uk contains resources and ideas for employers who want to use the week as the springboard to talk to their employees about eye health.

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Hub

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Edenred’s Eyecare Vouchers always see everyone right.

Whether you use them for eye examinations, glasses or prescription Bollé safety spectacles, Eyecare Vouchers mean no expense claims to process or petty cash to arrange:

Two levels of service available to suit your needs:

Eyecare Vouchers™ a quick to order book of vouchers for you to issue to employees

Eyecare Vouchers Plus™ your own branded website where employees can request vouchers directly to their work or home address, taking out all the administrative burden for you

• Accepted in 96% of UK opticians – that’s over 7,500 outlets, the widest choice of opticians for employees

• Free of National Insurance contributions for you and your workforce, no VAT on their purchase and your company costs are deductible for Corporation Tax

• Free communication tool kit to promote the scheme to employees effectively

• Dedicated Account Managers to offer help and advice when you need it

To find out more call: 0843 453 4406, email: hello@edenred.co.uk, or visit: www.edenred.co.uk/eyecare-vouchers

Supporting the RNIB for 10 yearsEdenred supports the Royal National Institute of the Blind (RNIB) by donating 10p per voucher, raising thousands of pounds over the 10 years. RNIB is the UK’s leading charity offering information, support and advice to over two million people with sight problems.