The Cost of Glasses
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Do you think your employer should pay for your Glasses?
Some people who work predominately on screens get their employer to pay for their eye test and a contribution towards the cost of glasses.
Some employers have benefits when you start with that company anyways. I remember having Health Shield when I was contracted with my flooring job two years ago. Check your benefits If you have any when you enroll with that company for employment.
No I don’t think employers should pay for staff eye tests and/or glasses. Most people use phones or screens of some sort in their everyday lives.
Pjran It's more about the amount of screen time - if you are an in an office role you are looking at a screen for 8+ hours a day and it's that amount of time that's not good for eye health.
Why should my employer pay for my glasses? I have needed glasses since I was 13. Yes I use a computer at work but I also use a phone and tablet at home. My employer is not responsible for my eye health.
MrsCraig If you use a computer for most of your work, you may be entitled.
SamGoodship I use a computer but the amount I use it a day varies. I probably wouldn't qualify anyway as only part time
We get a free eye test every two years and there is a contribution towards glasses - but only for those specifically needed for screen use. I spend all day at work sat in front of a pc and I think its fair they contribute. I have to pay for my other glasses for general use - which is ok.
I guess I'm long sighted but to be honest I only struggle to focus on items very close to my eyes i.e. the ingredients on a tin of baked beans if the text is small. Everything else is fine and those cheap £1-2 reading glasses you get in various stores are fine. I think the pair I currently have were about 60p. However when I need to read something in small print away from home I never have them with me.
BonzoBanana That definitely sounds like you need an eye test and prescription 
SamGoodship Maybe but I only struggle to read stuff about 3 inches from my eyes and with cheap reading glasses I can read fine actually even better at close distance than when I was younger.
My personal opinion is that it is in 'No Way' the employers responsibility. Its down to the person themselves. Next people will ask for fuel to get to work, or clothing else they will come naked. I dont think its reasonable to expect the employer to pay for glasses. Besides, glasses are a pound to £1.50 for reading and viewing close objects at Poundland and Home Bargain. Dont need a fancy pair anyway.
PaxAmerica for computer screen use, you are short sighted, the glasses you refer to for a £1 etc are for long sighted close up reading
My auntie in her 80s had always wore glasses since a kid and progress to wearing varifocals but when her employer introduced computers into the workplace (she didn’t have and never has had a computer at home) she then needed tri-focals, her employer a national supermarket chain was actually very good about it back then and paid for the glasses as they had by introducing the computers made her sight even worse
Gromit22 Oh yeah short sighted 
. Never heard of trifocals. I think if I was an emplyer I would sort someone out if they were a special case like your aunt but not something I think should be expected. Thats me. I would do it unofficially and not a standard. But then I am cruel maybe
I think if the job role involves looking at screens for a long time then they should pay for glasses
My old job used to have a scheme if you were using computers, it was a free eye test and contribution towards new glasses.
Maybe they could do it through tax through their job, so the employer gets the money back?
My work do (I have a managers health plan) cover some of the costs via a rebate. I think it's a free eye test and £50 or £100 back
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