Polish employers required to fund glasses for staff spending 4+ hrs at screens

Under Article 237 of the Polish Labour Code and a 1998 ministerial regulation, employers must provide non‑paid eye‑protection equipment to employees who work at least four hours daily in front of a monitor. The subsidy, typically up to about 300 zł, can cover prescription glasses or contact lenses.

Eligibility is limited to workers on standard employment contracts. To receive the benefit, an employee must submit a medical certificate from an occupational health doctor confirming the need for visual correction, together with an invoice for the purchase. The employer pays the subsidy only after verifying these documents. Internal company regulations set the exact amount and the frequency of claims, most often allowing a request once every two years.

The rule applies nationwide in Poland, placing the financial responsibility on the employer and formalising the process for protecting workers' eyesight in screen‑intensive roles.