Employer refusing to pay towards glassses

ginarebareit

I use computers for my role all day and after 6 months of having a faulty light over my computer that’s just recently been sorted I noticed my eyesight seemed worse and I was struggling to read small wording. I had an eye test that confirmed it had got a lot worse and I needed new stronger distance glasses. As well as a referral to eye hospital.
my 2 colleagues mentioned they got £75 from the employer upon giving a receipt for the glasses purchase put into their wages. I approached my manager but she said one of the bosses has refused as it’s not something they do and it’s not in our contracts. I explained that the other two got this in the last 12 months and it’s unfair. I need them to do my job and reduce eye strain. When I looked it up on the hse website it does say that they should cover the cost of eye testing and contribute towards glasses if needed for the work I do.  How can I  broach this better tomorrow? 

Since asking, I’ve given notice due to a new job offer but according to work law, I’m entitled to all the same benefits til I leave so it shouldn’t make any difference should it? 

Carrot007

UNles your eye test specifically says you need glasses for computer work only there is no reason they have to pay. (it won't that is so unlikely, byut many places pay anyway).

p00hsticks

Employers are only obliged to provide an eye test and pay for peoples glasses if you are classed as a DSE (display screen equipment) user - that is you spend at least an hour in front of a screen - and you need glasses specifically for that work. If you say that your new prescription is for distance vision I don't think this will be the case.  Do you only need them when working at your job ? https://www.ihasco.co.uk/blog/entry/2448/does-my-employer-have-to-pay-for-my-eye-tests-and-glasses

KatrinaWaves

My work provides glasses for computer use but they’re definitely not ones you’d want to wear outside work! 

ginarebareit

I use a computer for 6-9 hours a day straight and they are for computers, reading and driving. I don’t need them all the time my optician said. I do have astigmatism in one eye ( funny shaped lens) so need them to be able to see the screen properly and reading.  I think my main issue is that two work colleagues were not quibbled with but they don’t want to pay me the same.  I don’t want to have to wear them but struggle without on the computer . 

KatrinaWaves

Do you know exactly what the prescription and necessity was for your colleagues? Your glasses necessity seems far more general than just work. 

Anyway, you’ve given notice to leave. They’re highly unlikely to give you money towards new glasses so you can see lovely at your new job... 

74jax

ginarebareit said:

I use a computer for 6-9 hours a day straight and they are for computers, reading and driving. I don’t need them all the time my optician said. I do have astigmatism in one eye ( funny shaped lens) so need them to be able to see the screen properly and reading.  I think my main issue is that two work colleagues were not quibbled with but they don’t want to pay me the same.  I don’t want to have to wear them but struggle without on the computer . 

In which case I'm struggling to see why they would pay?  They are not needed just for work to complete your job.

As to other people, it's not your concern.

suki1964

With astigmatism you are going to be hard pushed to prove that you need the glasses just for the computer, as you say, you need them for driving and reading

Astigmatism gets worse as you get older, I was in Varifocals before I hit 40

TBagpuss

We, if you haven't made a formal request, do that. If you have someone who performs the HR for your employer, ask that person, if you have an employee handbook or manual, check what that says.
It sounds as though you need glasses for a number of reasons including computer work, so your employers probably should be contributing towards the cost, but you may need to clarify with your optician.
Also, for future reference, speak to your employer first if you want them to pay for your eye test / glasses, as they may require you to see a specific optician for the test,  

ginarebareit

KatrinaWaves said:

Do you know exactly what the prescription and necessity was for your colleagues? Your glasses necessity seems far more general than just work. 

Anyway, you’ve given notice to leave. They’re highly unlikely to give you money towards new glasses so you can see lovely at your new job... 

they’ve always worn glasses, as in full time wearers.  I know you are right in terms of me leaving, but it stings a little to think it’s different rules for different people. I’m still entitled to same benefits of the role til I leave in many weeks time.  It didn’t help it took 6 months to fix a broken flickering light over my desk making it harder to squint lol .

KatrinaWaves

I mean no one is going to invest in a employee who is leaving, be that training, equipment, whatever. You can say you’re entitled to the same ‘rights’ but any perks are not gonna be given to you, and money towards your everyday glasses is a perk.