A recent survey by Guide Dogs and the Eyecare Trust revealed that morethan a third (38%) of workers who regularly use a VDU were not evenaware of their right to have a free eye test, even though companies arerequired by law to communicate the availability of this as clearly andwidely as possible - not just confining it to the 'small print'. Inaddition, while eye examinations must be paid by employers, some 65% ofemployees still arrange and pay for their own.
A host of providers exist not just to deal with eye tests, but to offersupport after that - everything from providing spectacles to named staffto eyecare for employees' dependants. Vouchers are popular, with 95% ofUK optometrists accepting them.
Although eyecare regulations cover VDU users, there is a growing demandto have this extended to those who drive for a living. Specsavers foundthat 55% of lorry drivers had not had an eye test in the past year.Those employers who offer eyecare as a benefit will be seen as employersof choice. Some eyecare providers will bring a special Vision Screenermachine into offices that will identify those who ought to have an eyetest and those who do not, and thus help employers reduce costs. Butwhat else is available? Here we profile some of the main providers.
NAME OF COMPANY AND CONTACT DETAILS: Accor Services, 0845 365 1217,ecvsales@accorservices.co.uk
NAME OF SCHEME: Eyecare Vouchers
COST TO EMPLOYER (ASSUME 1,000 STAFF): 19.95 for eye test voucherplus handling fee per order of 4.75. Spectacle vouchers forvarying values
SET-UP TIME: Typically one week; vouchers delivered within 5 workingdays of payment
HOW SCHEME IS ADMINISTERED: Dedicated account manager
SUPPORT GIVEN: Helpdesk; individual account manager; website; posters;pay-slip inserts and presentation wallets in both paper and electronicformats; account managers will attend benefit fairs if required
PARTICULAR SELLING POINTS: Vouchers accepted in 95% of opticians in UKproviding clients with the choice they require for their employees
NAME OF COMPANY AND CONTACT DETAILS: BUPA, Emma Exelby 0500 000125,exelbye@bupa.com
NAME OF SCHEME: BUPA Cash plan (new scheme launched December 2007 calledAdditional Health to include dental)
COST TO EMPLOYER (ASSUME 1,000 STAFF): From 1 per week
SET-UP TIME: Once details received, can be on BUPA cash plan systemwithin an hour
HOW SCHEME IS ADMINISTERED: Dedicated account manager who will hold aemployee benefit launch workshop and visit once in every 4-6 months.Payment by BAC or cheque
SUPPORT GIVEN: Marketing materials supplied at no charge; mobile numberof designated consultant provided
PARTICULAR SELLING POINTS: Dedicated account manager provided throughoutscheme to provide a personalised service; no automated telephoneservices - there is always someone on the end of a phone
NAME OF COMPANY AND CONTACT DETAILS: Dollond & Aitchison, Kate Walsh0121 697 2419, kate.walsh@danda.co.uk
NAME OF SCHEME: D&A Business
COST TO EMPLOYER (ASSUME 1,000 STAFF): Eye test: 15 complete setof VDU spectacles: 40 average cost per employee: 17.80
SET-UP TIME: Immediate via telephone, email or fax
HOW SCHEME IS ADMINISTERED: Via a pre-pay voucher or invoicingoption
SUPPORT GIVEN: Dedicated account manager
PARTICULAR SELLING POINTS: Dedicated account manager; employees receivea complete pair of VDU spectacles as opposed to a contribution vouchertowards the cost; full audit trail available; D&A Business Classvouchers available offering employees' family reductions
NAME OF COMPANY AND CONTACT DETAILS: Duncan and Todd, Dave Wright 01224259039, davew@duncanandtodd.com
NAME OF SCHEME: Duncan and Todd Corporate Eyecare
COST TO EMPLOYER (ASSUME 1,000 STAFF): Depends on service, cost uponrequest
SET-UP TIME: Immediate
HOW SCHEME IS ADMINISTERED: By invoice upon completion
SUPPORT GIVEN: Full support including marketing, administration andon-line/telephone helpline provided by experienced professionals
PARTICULAR SELLING POINTS: No upfront fees; tailormade to customersrequirements including the availability of a personalised web-basedmicrosite; opticians with over 35 years' experience
NAME OF COMPANY AND CONTACT DETAILS: HealthSure, 0845 075 0063,marketing@healthsure.co.uk
NAME OF SCHEME: HealthSure One
COST TO EMPLOYER (ASSUME 1,000 STAFF): 1 per employee perweek
SET-UP TIME: Subject to client specification
HOW SCHEME IS ADMINISTERED: All employee communication from claims toqueries direct with HealthSure; details of starters and leavers to besupplied to HealthSure
SUPPORT GIVEN: HealthSure communicates direct with employees;literature, mail drops, payslip attachments, on-site presentations,contact centre, website, posters, intranet pages, electronic applicationforms
PARTICULAR SELLING POINTS: Low cost with a high perceived value; easy tointroduce; minimal administration; employee deals directly withHealthSure; full account management provided
NAME OF COMPANY AND CONTACT DETAILS: HSA, Denise Bannan,denise.bannan@hsa.co.uk
NAME OF SCHEME: WorkWell
COST TO EMPLOYER (ASSUME 1,000 STAFF): Level 1: 6 per employee;Level 2: 9 per employee; Level 3: 12 per employee(discounts negotiable)
SET-UP TIME: Approximately 10 working days
HOW SCHEME IS ADMINISTERED: Direct debit payment method; direct creditfor payment of claims; performance monitoring reports; can beadministered on a monthly or annual basis
SUPPORT GIVEN: Customised launch campaign; emails, posters, desk drops,payslip flyers; dual branded literature for larger schemes; dedicatedinternal support team
PARTICULAR SELLING POINTS: Scheme designed with both the employer andemployee in mind to suit a variety of budgets and workforcerequirements; able to incorporate services of other companies within thegroup
NAME OF COMPANY AND CONTACT DETAILS: Paycare, 01902 371010,enquiries@paycare.org
NAME OF SCHEME: Paycare 4work Paycare 4work+
COST TO EMPLOYER (ASSUME 1,000 STAFF): Fom 4.20 per monthdepending upon level of cover required
SET-UP TIME: 3-4 weeks
HOW SCHEME IS ADMINISTERED: Adminstered by Paycare and set up eitherdirect or payroll deduction
SUPPORT GIVEN: Includes leaflets, displays, posters, presentations,intranet etc - format up to employer
PARTICULAR SELLING POINTS: Pays 100% of costs up to annual limit
NAME OF COMPANY AND CONTACT DETAILS: Specsavers Corporate Eyecare AlixDickinson, 01481 232 486
NAME OF SCHEME: Specsavers VDU Eyecare vouchers
COST TO EMPLOYER (ASSUME 1,000 STAFF): 17 per employee
SET-UP TIME: Vouchers delivered within five working days of receipt ofpayment
HOW SCHEME IS ADMINISTERED: Eye examination and VDU glasses covered inone single voucher resulting in cost savings in administration; employeeissued with a voucher when required to be used in any Specsaversstore
SUPPORT GIVEN: Designated corporate account manager appointed; packageof marketing materials available to include posters and documents thatcan be posted on companies' own intranet sites
PARTICULAR SELLING POINTS: Unique in that examination and glasses - ifrequired solely for VDU use - are covered in one single transaction andat a low fixed cost to the employer.
