HOW RSA INSURANCE IS KEEPING AN EYE ON EMPLOYEE WELLBEING

RSA Insurance is one of the UK’s leading general insurance providers, employing more than 5,000 people across several offices nationwide. As an employer, RSA is committed to ensuring the health, safety, and wellbeing of each and every team member. A key part of this commitment is its partnership with Specsavers Corporate Eyecare, which offers employees easy access to eye care services and supports compliance with Display Screen Equipment (DSE) regulations.

We spoke with Tony Bough, RSA’s Head of Health, Safety, and Wellbeing, to understand how Specsavers’ corporate eyecare vouchers have become an intrinsic part of the company’s wellbeing strategy.

Eye-catching benefits

For RSA Insurance, providing comprehensive eyecare is about more than just ticking a compliance box – it’s a reflection of a workplace culture that values fairness, inclusivity and wellbeing. That’s why RSA offers every employee an Optical Care Voucher, ensuring access to a full eye test and a guaranteed contribution towards glasses – whether for screen work, reading documents, driving, or general day-to-day use.

Unlike DSE vouchers, Optical Care Vouchers don’t rely on a clinical need tied specifically to screen use. Every colleague walks away with something – even if they don’t need prescription lenses, they’re entitled to a free pair of non-prescription sunglasses. Employees can receive £50 towards glasses under £100 and £70 towards glasses costing over £100, making it a practical and appreciated benefit across RSA’s 12 main offices and remote workforce alike.

“It’s seamless,” says Tony Bough. “Employees complete their DSE assessment, receive a voucher via email, print it off, and take it to any Specsavers branch. The process is simple and effective, and the service is consistently high-quality, no matter which branch they visit.”

Bringing compliance into focus

One of the biggest successes of RSA’s partnership with Specsavers has been improving DSE compliance. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) requires employers to assess risks linked to screen use, and RSA uses the eyecare vouchers as a positive incentive to encourage staff to complete them.

“If you want a Specsavers voucher, you need to do your DSE assessment first – it’s that simple!” Tony explains. “This policy has driven our completion rate to over 90%, which, given the size of our workforce, is no small feat.”

By integrating eyecare with workstation safety, RSA ensures that employees not only receive essential vision checks but also make sure their workstations are ergonomically sound. This approach has fostered a culture in which eye health and safety are viewed as a holistic and essential part of the work environment, embedding eyecare into its wider wellbeing strategy.

Helping employees see the bigger picture

The benefits of the Specsavers corporate offering extend beyond financial support for glasses. For many employees, the vouchers have prompted essential eye health checks that they might otherwise overlook.

“Some employees think they’re just ticking a box,” Tony notes, “but they soon realise they actually need prescription glasses. It’s a lightbulb moment.”

RSA also uses the programme as a springboard for broader discussions about health and safety. Topics such as the 20-20-20 rule (taking a 20-second break to look at something 20 feet away every 20 minutes) and ergonomic best practices have become regular features of their internal messaging. These discussions not only prevent eye strain but also highlight how small adjustments in posture and screen positioning can alleviate physical discomfort and improve productivity.

Nationwide access, consistent care

With a dispersed workforce spanning from Horsham to Glasgow, RSA values the accessibility and reliable quality of Specsavers branches nationwide.

“I live in a small town outside Durham,” says Tony. “My local Specsavers is a six-minute walk away, and the service is always excellent. I know that if I went to a branch in Newcastle or Glasgow, I would receive the same standard of care. That level of consistency is vital for us as an employer.”

This nationwide accessibility reflects RSA’s core values of respect and inclusivity. “We aim to treat all our employees fairly, whether they’re working in an office, from home, or out in the field. Specsavers helps us deliver on that promise.”

A clear vision for success

A notable aspect of the partnership is the positive feedback RSA receives from employees. “Normally, employees only speak up when something goes wrong,” Tony explains, “but with Specsavers, I regularly hear how easy and beneficial the process is.”

Employees particularly appreciate the personalised service they receive in-store. The Specsavers team is always ready to assist, whether it’s advice on frame styles or discussions about contact lenses or laser eye surgery. “I can confidently issue a voucher knowing my employees will have a positive experience every time,” Tony adds.

For RSA Insurance, corporate eyecare is no longer seen as a “benefit” but an expected part of the employee experience. “If we took it away, there’d be an uproar,” Tony jokes.

Beyond compliance, the partnership has sparked important conversations around eye strain, colour blindness, and overall wellbeing. With Specsavers providing seamless, high-quality care, RSA has firmly positioned itself as a leader in employee wellbeing.

“Specsavers doesn’t feel like an external supplier – they’re part of our team,” Tony concludes. “It’s a partnership that works, and I’d recommend it to any organisation serious about employee health.”

For more information, visit https://www.specsavers.co.uk/corporate