Under DSE, anyone who is deemed a 'user' is entitled to an eye test provided by the company. Also, under DSE, if spectacles are deemed necessary, soley and specifically for VDU's, than the employer should bear the cost. We get the optician to sign a form to this effect so we know who, if anyone, is entitled to money off their prescription. Up to now, nobody has been entitled to this.... My question is, are many people actually entitled to spectacles? Surely if you need glasses to read a VDU screen 60cms away you'll need them to read a newspaper, book, sign, or control panel at a similar distance. If that's the point then its catch 22 as the glasses aren't "specifically" for VDU's. Confused Hope I haven't rambled - it's Friday and I've a load of admin workers angry at not getting £40 towards this years prescription. Under previous management, and interpretation of the regulations, every DSE user was given £40 towards glasses. Regards, Ian (P.S. I know about the common voucher scheme, and this is probably a route we'll go down, but if we do won't they refuse prescription contribution too......)

The problem is that if the optician is not aware that the person is a 'dse user' and they prescribe glasses, the person wrongly assumes that the employer should pay for these. However the employer only has a duty to pay/reimburse money for the cheapest pair of spectatcles whcih are solely for working with DSE. Therefoere IMO the numerous (and very cost-effective) voucher schemes are beneficial becuase the optomotrist will complete the eye test knowing that the person is a dse user and therefore certify if they need glasses solely for working with dse - if they do the voucher in most cases covers the cost of the specs and if a more desirable pair is required they pay for the difference. Regards

To cover the circumstances in Cantona's post we give our employees a letter they take to the optician which clearly states that a Regulation 5 eyetest is required. That way we avoid the misunderstandings but don't have to administer a voucher scheme, John

JWK - I will just say that the admin of the voucher scheme is sooooooooooo easy. I can order vouchers for 100 people or 1001 people and pay ONE invoice. Or I can administrate and pay for 100 people or 1001 people seperately. No brainer to me.

Thanks for your responses. Boy, I was in a bad mood on Friday! Ian