Employer and glasses

honeypop

Not sure if this is the right place but it is to do with my employer so probably the best people to answer will be around here!

I had an eye test which my employer are re-imbursing me for, as I work pretty much the whole of my hours looking at a PC monitor. The optician recommended I need glasses for VDU use only, which he wrote on the prespcription details. He said that my employer should pay for/towards the glasses as I only need them while on the computer at work.

I have heard of this before but can't find specific details on this anywhere, some sites say they need to pay for the whole glasses (I assume this is for a basic pair), some sites say it is a contribution of up to £50 they should pay, some say a different amount. The company I work for is very small and they don't really have a lot of policies in place for things like this, I had to find out the details of having the eye test paid for myself and show it to them, so I have no hope of them knowing what to do about the glasses I need for working on the computer all day.

Can someone advise me what their obligations are for these glasses I need? And if possible do a link to a website stating that, so I can forward that to them?

Conor_3

They have no obligation whatsoever. Just a question, are you aware of health and safety in regard to using computers for long periods? You're not supposed to use them for a long period and AFAIR, you're supposed to have a 15 minute break from staring at the monitor every hour. Your post makes it sound as if you spend very long periods staring at the screen.

System

The Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992 states that the employer shall ensure that each user employed by him is provided with special corrective appliances appropriate for the work being done.
DSE mentions that breaks are to be taken but does not specify length or periodicity. The general consensus from other organisations is a break of 1 to 2 minutes per 15/20 minute period of VDU activity.

LittleVoice

If prescription glasses are required, the employer has to pay for a pair. There is no specified amount (and there cannot be a requirement to provide "special corrective appliances" if the person doesn't require them!).

If you find reference to different amounts it is because individual companies will have set limits but the law simply requires that corrective eyewear is provided for those who need it solely for use with VDUs. Employers usually have policies which specify a maximum contribution - enough to buy at least a basic pair. The policy can be extended to say that an amount can be used as part payment if the employee wants a more expensive pair.

If the person requires glasses with a presciption which is for VDU work and other things (eg reading), then the employer is not required by law to pay for them.

Terrylw1

The special corrective devices tends to be interpreted as a anti glare screen protector which do very little. No use in your case as they are preventative.

You may have seen set limits to prevent someone overspending on a really expensive designer pair.

honeypop

Conor wrote: »

They have no obligation whatsoever. Just a question, are you aware of health and safety in regard to using computers for long periods? You're not supposed to use them for a long period and AFAIR, you're supposed to have a 15 minute break from staring at the monitor every hour. Your post makes it sound as if you spend very long periods staring at the screen.

Yes I am fully aware of this, I meant the whole of the work I do is on the computer not that I spend all day looking at the screen without breaks, however because all of my work is on the screen I can’t help but be on it for the majority of my hours there.

Also, they DO have an obligation, the HSE website says to comply with The Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992, employers must arrange and pay for eye tests and provide spectacles if special ones are needed (ie purely for use on a vdu).

LittleVoice wrote: »

If you find reference to different amounts it is because individual companies will have set limits but the law simply requires that corrective eyewear is provided for those who need it solely for use with VDUs. Employers usually have policies which specify a maximum contribution - enough to buy at least a basic pair. The policy can be extended to say that an amount can be used as part payment if the employee wants a more expensive pair.

I guess it’s down to individual companies setting out what they are prepared to contribute them.

Thanks to everyone for your replies, it seems to be agreed that they do have to provide the glasses, as stated by HSE, just still none the wiser on how much they have to pay for them. I guess it’s just a basic pair, which is all I need really so that’s what I will ask for, they’ll most likely call their accountants to check anyway.