Small business employers look at gender and age when considering workplace eyecare benefits
To find out about how eyecare benefits relate to staff demographics in small businesses, we carried out research among more than 230 senior members of staff with a decision-making HR remit in small businesses in the UK.
Age and condition differences
Helping to reduce minor ailments like headaches and eyestrain was considered by employers in small businesses to be the most relevant benefit of eyecare for younger employees, aged under 40 years. However, views changed as employee age increased. Helping to look after and save eyesight, along with helping to detect and monitor more serious conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes, were thought to be the most relevant benefits of eyecare for the more mature employees, aged over 40 years.
It is interesting that small business employers recognise the much wider benefits of eyecare but relate these more to older employees than to those aged under 40. It is true that some eye conditions, such as macular degeneration, are more common in those over 40, but there are still many eye conditions that can create problems and even sight loss in people of all ages. Equally, the wider systemic health conditions that can be detected through eye examinations, like diabetes, cancers, multiple sclerosis and thyroid problems, can affect young and old alike.
Take-up age and gender differences
The research went on to show that the take-up of eyecare benefits is also thought to be affected by age and gender. Nearly a quarter of small business employers, 23%, thought women are more likely to take up eyecare benefits than men. Nearly half, 48%, thought employees over 40 years of age are most likely to take up eyecare benefits, and just 3% of employers thought employees under the age of 25 were most likely to take up eyecare benefits. Nearly half, 47%, thought women over 40 were the most likely category of employees to take up eyecare benefits.
It is really important that employers in small businesses continue to communicate the worth of eyecare to employees of all ages and both genders. A full eye examination does so much more than just check the ability to see clearly. Eyecare can often help with minor ailments like headaches and eyestrain, which may in turn help to improve the productivity of employees. It can also help to detect and monitor much more serious conditions of the eyes and the health in general, and may be a factor in an employee seeking treatment before a condition becomes more acute or even sight- or life-threatening.
Research
Research undertaken by YouGov on behalf of Specsavers Corporate Eyecare in Q1 2017.
