One in every two employees struggles with at least one eye issue, according to research performed by VSP in partnership with Workplace Intelligence in early 2024. That means if you were to have a one-on-one meeting with someone in your office or on Zoom, it’s statistically likely that you or they might have at least one eye issue such as digital eye strain, cataracts, or glaucoma..
As common as eye issues are, the prevalence of vision care is slightly less so. More than one in three HR leaders reports that their company does not offer vision benefits, VSP’s research shows.
VSP’s research also indicates that, in contrast, vision benefits are highly sought after by employees, with 89% saying it’s important for their employer to offer the benefit. Beyond giving employees what they want, further data reveals how vision benefits can be a lucrative recruitment and retention tool in four key ways.
When your organization offers vision benefits …
1. Employees are less likely to look for another job.
Leaving employees without vision benefits may leave you with fewer employees. Of the employees who don’t get vision benefits from their employers, more than half (52%) are seriously considering finding a job that offers vision benefits, VSP’s 2024 survey data shows.
But it’s not enough to offer vision care to retain employees. To truly avoid attrition, you need to provide comprehensive vision care. VSP’s 2024 data indicates that, amongst the employees whose companies offer vision coverage, 74% of employees are unsatisfied with their vision insurance, and one in four are seriously considering finding a job with better vision benefits.
To improve your vision benefits, consider offering a better selection of plan options, providing faster and more convenient access to care, allowing employees to customize their family coverage, improving the quality of their doctors and facilities and letting employees start or stop their coverage anytime.
2. Candidates are more likely to accept your job offer.
Not only could offering vision care keep your employees around, but it could also make new candidates come around. Research shows that most job seekers (88%) consider health, dental and vision benefits as part of their job search. While VSP’s survey data more specifically shows that 72% of employees would be more likely to take another job with a company that offers vision benefits. You could be that company.
Consider highlighting your access to vision benefits on job descriptions and your Careers page so that candidates aren’t guessing whether you offer coverage. You could also go bolder and share why offering vision care is important to you as an organization or have current employees express what the benefit has meant to them, whether through an employer-branded blog post or social media post.
3. Employees will be more effective at work.
For employees who work mainly on screens, too much screen time could affect their eye health and their effectiveness at work. The American Optometric Association notes how excessive screen time leads to digital eye strain, headaches, dry eyes and blurred vision.
According to VSP’s 2024 survey results, employees with at least one eye issue report negative impacts on their productivity (63%), ability to focus (55%), mental health (42%) and quality of their work (40%). On the other hand, employees with access to vision benefits are more likely to be aware of the negative impacts of too much screen time and be more aware of taking screen time breaks. VSP’s data also shows that a majority of employees want to improve their eye health and 40% want to reduce their screen time.
By providing vision care, you show your employees you care about their well-being and understand how eye health plays a vital role—increasing loyalty.
4. Younger talent is enabled to stick around.
VSP’s 2024 survey results show that 54% of Gen Z and 49% of Millennials are experiencing worsening eye health due to longer work hours, compared to just 39% of Gen X and 31% of Baby Boomers.
Poor eye health could not only deteriorate employees’ effectiveness at work, as we discussed above, but it could also lead to further healthcare issues for employees and higher healthcare costs for employers. Increased demand for eye care services, like exams, corrective eyewear and treatments for conditions exacerbated by screen exposure, could hike up employers’ overall healthcare costs.
While all employees benefit from vision care, it can be especially beneficial for younger employees whose overall screen time is the highest of any generation (Harmony Healthcare IT) and whose median screen time went up 8.8% from 2022 to 2023 (DCDX). The more you care for your rising talent, the more likely they will rise within your organization.
Improve your recruitment and retention strategies with vision benefits
Secure your employees’ satisfaction with your vision benefits and woo top talent with your commitment to their well-being. Vision care is more than an add-on benefit; it could be the value-add that makes all the difference in your retention and attrition rates. Get the report.