is this true? glasses to be left at work

mikey72

MrRedundant wrote: »

At no point did the OP mention vouchers. Not all employers supply a voucher; some simply supply payment.
HMRC state they can only be applied without PAYE and NI if they are for work purposes and if this is challenged the employer will prove it.

I suspect the argument with vouchers is that employers provide the bear cost for the basic equipment and any added charge is covered indepdently thus there is still no benefit offered.

In a case like this then I would imagine the employer couldnt restrict usage; but if the employer fully pays for them they are work equipment thus their property.

Tbh if they are only required for work it wouldnt be an issue.

No, they're bought for the employee, and as such are then the property of the employee. The employer has to meet the cost, and this can be either by cash payment or vouchers.
They are for work purposes are proved by the test by "the competent person", usually the opitician.

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/budget2006/bn31.pdf

MrRedundant

I dont know what you think that tells you but it doesnt tell you that you are entitled to do what you want with the glasses.

nedmundo

mikey72 wrote: »

No, they're bought for the employee, and as such are then the property of the employee. The employer has to meet the cost, and this can be either by cash payment or vouchers.
They are for work purposes are proved by the test by "the competent person", usually the opitician.

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/budget2006/bn31.pdf

They are bought by the employer for the employee to use whilst in employment. They remain the property of the employer, as does any other specialist equipment required.

liney

If you need to take them home, then the employer might argue they are not soley for VDU use, so they are not liable?

My husband went for a 2 for 1 offer, and can leave a pair at work and take one away with him.

getmore4less

as she is getting headaches and dry eyes because she is in front of a computer screen all day.


IS she taking breaks and doing eye exercises(focusing on other objects).

Alos she may not be blinking enough

It may be that she is not using the computer screen properly.

Bobl

And the definition of VDU doe not necessarily mean a PC or laptop, a VDU usually has a black screen with green letters. I work with a laptop all day but my optician will not write a prescription for 'VDU'.

mikey72

MrRedundant wrote: »

I dont know what you think that tells you but it doesnt tell you that you are entitled to do what you want with the glasses.

No, it says they are bought for the employee.
It's also not "specialist equipment", it's provided to satisfy the employers liability under H&S, which is why they have no tax liability, as laid out in the referenced document.
Also been there, done that.
But I'm sure you can provide a reference stating they remain the property of the employee for tax purposes as you're so certain?

Still, enough conflicting answers for the op.
After you provide your reference they can decide which interpretation is correct, or even if they wish to pursue it.

System

It is 'special' corrective appliance

‘Special’ corrective appliances (normally spectacles) provided to meet the requirements of the DSE Regulations will be those appliances prescribed to correct vision defects at the viewing distance or distances used specifically for the display screen work concerned. ‘Normal’ corrective appliances are spectacles prescribed for any other purpose.

(Taken from
Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992 as amended by the Health and Safety (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2002
Guidance on Regulations )

If they are 'special' (and the employer pays) then it can be taken that they are only for work and there is no reason why they should ever need to be taken home.

Looking at it from a different viewpoint. If the user took them home and then failed to bring them in the next day could the employer take the attitude that due to the user not having the special equipment that was supplied (due to her error/negligence) then the user has put themselves into a position of not being able to do their work and therefore should not be paid.

dickydonkin

Bobl wrote: »

And the definition of VDU doe not necessarily mean a PC or laptop, a VDU usually has a black screen with green letters. I work with a laptop all day but my optician will not write a prescription for 'VDU'.

The regulations hinted at on this thread are actually the Display Screen Equipment Regulations which would indeed apply to laptops/PC's etc.

The regulations would apply to all 'users' who use such equipment in the course of their work.

Andy_L

MrRedundant wrote: »

The employer is probably taking it further than most do but technically they can do so if they wish. If they are left at work then they completely avoid any risk of HMRC dispute.

and avoid the risk of her forgetting them