Regulations for Eye Tests

Whenever applying for a new job, it is important to know what the job requirements are, including any special vision equipment that might be necessary for the job. If a prospective employer requires that you use a visual display unit or computer as part of the job requirement, it is within your rights to request a vision exam, at no charge, to make sure that your vision will be protected. As with any transaction, it is important to know what your rights are.

Rights of a Prospective Employee

• If an employer is requiring a vision exam as part of the prospective hiring process, it is their responsibility to provide this exam at no charge. The eye exam should take place in a convenient location, agreeable to both parties and at a convenient time. No part of the exam should in any way be invasive or oppose any part of a perspective employee's rights, religious beliefs or freedoms. Because the prospective employer is paying for the eye exam, they do have the right to specify where the eye exam will take place.

Purpose of an Eye Test

• The purpose of any required eye exam should only be pertinent to the duties of the job that you are applying for. If the job requires that you use special vision glasses, for example, then the eye exam may be more extensive than a job that simply requires able vision for the purpose of seeing what you are doing. Also remember that if your vision is not what is required, if it can be corrected to meet the needs of the job, then this is within your rights as well. An example would be a job requiring employees to use certain types of display screen equipment. According to the Health and Safety Regulations of 1992, there is a provision for eye tests and spectacles that are to be used specifically with display screen equipment. Generally, anyone using a visual display unit on the job has the right to request a vision exam and a voucher for spectacles to use as well.

Preexisting Conditions

• It is important to note that this legislation applies only to regular users of visual display units and does not in any way imply that a person applying for any job is entitled to a vision exam and any resulting spectacles that might be prescribed. The only obligation by a prospective employer would apply specifically to the required spectacles to be used for a job that would require a user to consistently be in contact with a visual display unit. There are many who would try to take advantage of this legislation, and it is very important to remember that the only time a prospective employer would be obligated to pay for a vision exam and/or appliances would be if the employee would be using them to perform the duties of the job. If there is every any question about this, the human resources department would have all of the answers.