Employers believe that a benefit as simple and cost-effective as eye care can have positive effects on as wide-reaching issues as health and wellbeing, productivity, absenteeism, engagement, morale, recruitment and retention, according to our latest survey.
The research, surveying 500 HR decision makers across UK companies, has revealed that aiding health and wellbeing is the top reason for offering workplace eye care.
Understanding the added value
While 39% of employers offer eye care to meet with health and safety regulations, 42% recognise its potential to boost health and wellbeing. An equally substantial 38% offer eye care purely as an employee benefit.
We are delighted to see that the message is getting through about the wider benefits of workplace eye care.
Improved productivity
Over a quarter of employers surveyed stated they offer eye care to improve productivity. With UK productivity levels near the bottom of the G7 league table, according to the Office for National Statistics, this is a key topic for employers. Eye care can support productivity as it helps with more minor ailments like migraines, tired eyes, and headaches, all of which can reduce an employee’s efficiency.
Reduced absence
A significant 24% of employers stated they offer eye care to reduce absence, as it can aid the early detection of certain illnesses and conditions, like diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease. In this way, eye care can be a core part of an absence management programme.
Good reflections
For 23% of employers, the reason for offering eye care is that it reflects well on the business. Providing benefits like eye care, which support health and wellbeing, demonstrates to employees that they are valued. In turn, the business receives value from the benefits offered, when staff appreciate them. This creates a buzz among colleagues and can support recruitment and retention of staff.
Positive impact
The research shows the wide-reaching benefits of eye care with employers believing it to have many positive impacts, like increased employee engagement, better morale, and as an aid to recruitment and retention of staff. It is very encouraging that so many employers can see the much broader advantages of eye care and we hope that others will follow by introducing an eye care policy as a cost-effective way to improve many issues across the employee base.
Full results:
Why do you offer eye care?
To aid health and wellbeing: 42 %
To meet with health and safety regulations: 39 %
As an employee benefit: 38 %
To ensure adequate eyesight for the employee’s working role: 33 %
To improve productivity (as it helps with migraines, tired eyes, headaches, etc): 26 %
To reduce absence, as it can aid the early detection of certain illnesses and conditions: 24 %
It reflects well on us as an employer: 23 %
To increase employee engagement and loyalty: 23 %
To increase morale: 19 %
To aid recruitment and retention of staff: 17 %
