27% fail to comply with eyecare legislation

eyecare-istock-2014

EXCLUSIVE: More than a quarter (27%) of employer respondents are failing to comply with health and safety display screen equipment legislation, according to research by Specsavers Corporate Eyecare.

The regulations require employers to communicate the details of their eyecare policy to staff. 

Specsavers’ research found that more than two-thirds (69%) of respondents expect an eyecare supplier to provide communication materials and 55% expect a guide to legislation.

Some 43% of respondents said that a booklet was the most useful communication tool for explaining the details of an eyecare policy. 

This method was followed by details provided via an intranet site (36%), posters on the availability of eyecare (34%) and an employee’s FAQ section on the provider’s website (29%).

The research also found:

  • 83% of respondents would like to receive eyecare information in an electronic format.
  • 25% of respondents still value face-to-face meetings with eyecare providers.
  • 61% of respondents want to be contacted by their provider at least annually.
  • 45% of respondents anticipate information on wider health benefits.

When ordering eyecare vouchers, nearly half (49%) of respondents demand the ability to order online.

The research also found that 39% of respondents believe that an eyecare benefit is highly valued by members of staff, while 3% believe it is the most highly valued benefit.

Suzanne Randall, corporate account manager at Specsavers Corporate Eyecare, said: “Eyecare is extremely low-cost to high-value in relation to other employee benefits.

“This is often only recognised, however, when the employer is provided with adequate and appropriate tools to communicate the value of the benefit to employees.

“At a cost to the employer of as little as just £17 per employee, every two years, eyecare is a fantastic benefit for employers to offer and promote.

“Many of the communication tools required by employers to enable them to do so are already available, it is just a case of selecting the right provider, who offers the right level of support.”