Current provisions for non-sworn staff

The provision for eye testing is contained in section 9.3.01 of the Non-sworn Members Agreement 2001 to 2003. The agreement allows for non-sworn employees engaged on VDU duties for at least 50 percent of their normal working time to be entitled to an eye test at Police expense. 

If the test discloses that prescription spectacles are required for the normal viewing distance of a VDU, or that an eyesight problem has been created or worsened by a VDU, then the cost of single vision spectacles will be met by the Police, up to a maximum of $250: or in the case of bi-multifocal spectacles, up to a maximum of $325.

Costs over and above this may be covered by the Police Health Plan depending on what type of cover a member has.

All eye examinations must be approved by a controlling officer prior to the exam being commenced, and a Visual Examination Record form must be completed prior to the visit to the optometrist. These forms are available in the Districts.

Same provision does not apply for sworn staff

It is important to know that the policy as stated in the non-sworn agreement does not apply to all sworn staff. It was only following negotiation with the Association in December 1998, that Police reluctantly agreed that sworn staff working full time in Communications Centres would be eligible for a “once only” eye examination in line with the conditions applying to non-sworn staff.

Sworn staff working in all other areas of Police are not covered.

Association argue view narrow

The Associations view at the time was that the limitation to CARD centres and Communication Centres was a narrow view, which did not recognise the full range of VDU work currently being done by all sworn staff. However, Police were not prepared to negotiate any further on this issue. Their main argument being, that deterioration in eyesight is not specifically related to VDU use but is directly attributable to ageing.

Despite the fact that the vast majority of government departments have had good vision-care policies and procedures in place since the early 90’s, which incorporate annual testing and cost reimbursements, the Police still refuse to budge on this issue and include all sworn staff working with VDU’s.