I Need Prescription Safety Glasses: Should Employer Pay?

Q.

I have just had my first eye test and require glasses. I work on a VDU but also I am in an engineering work shop that requires eye protection. Question: What does my employer have to pay for by law: eye test, safety glasses or both?

A.

Thank you for your question.

There is Employment Law guidelines regarding eye tests and potential payment for glasses, which we will come to in a moment, but there is no legal guidance for prescription protection goggles. If you require safety goggles for your job, you will be expected to wear non-prescription goggles over the top of your glasses. These goggles must be of good quality (CE stamped) and be fitted and provided for free by your employer.

Health and Safety

If you have any issues in getting non-prescription safety goggles from your employer, you certainly ought to make a noise about it. It may be worth pointing your boss in the direction of the Government’s health and safety in the workplace directive as mistakes or accidents can be far more costly than a pair of safety goggles. If you have an approachable boss, they may be open to the idea of buying prescription safety goggles – especially if you push the angle of being more effective in your job – and there are plenty of on-line retailers that are very affordable.

Paying for the Test

In terms of your employer paying for your eye test, it is likely that they will pay for it in your circumstances. The current employment law rules state that employers must pay for an eye test at least once every two years for employees that spend a ‘considerable’ amount of time at a computer for the purpose of their work. What ‘considerable’ means is up for discussion, but the general consensus seems to be around five hours per day, most days.

Payment of the required glasses is an even more confusing matter, with the employee needing to prove that they need the glasses ‘solely for work at a VDU’ (Visual Display Unit – computer to you and I). This would mean that you have to leave your glasses on your desk at the end of the day and only wear them at the computer. Even if you can prove this, you may only get the cost of basic frames (the really basic ones!) and single-vision lenses. If this suits you, then go for it.

Other employers give their glasses-wearing staff an allowance towards their glasses – often around £50. Again, you are likely to find more affordable glasses on-line rather than paying high street opticians’ prices. You can have your eye test at the opticians, take your prescription and then buy your glasses and/or prescription safety goggles on-line. You may need to pay for the test and then get reimbursed by your employer.

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