New Research from VSP Vision Care and Workplace Intelligence Finds 82% of Gen Z Employees Work Nights and Weekends, 54% Report Declining Eye Health

RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif. – Today, VSP^® Vision Care released new research, conducted by Workplace Intelligence, that reveals a concerning trend among Gen Z employees: 82% are working longer hours, including nights and weekends, and 54% say their eye health is worsening as a result.

The survey, which polled 800 human resource benefit leaders and 800 additional full-time employees at U.S. organizations, highlights how today’s workforce is increasingly struggling with too much screen time and symptoms consistent with digital eye strain. The research also reveals that some employee groups, including younger generations and remote workers, are affected by these trends more than others.

Key findings from the study include:

• Excessive screen time: On average, employees are getting over 96 hours of screen time a week, with more than a third of that time coming from work.
• Long work hours: 69% of employees say they’ve worked longer hours over the past year, for example nights and weekends. An alarming 43% report that their eye health is worsening as a result.
• Generational impact: 82% of Gen Z employees report working longer hours, and 54% say this has impacted their eye health.
• Remote work considerations: Remote and hybrid workers get more than 7 hours of screen time each day, compared to just 5.5 hours for on-site employees.
• Productivity loss: 50% of workers have at least one eye issue, for example blurred or poor vision, eye strain and fatigue, or dry and itchy eyes. Workers struggling with these issues report negative impacts on their productivity (63%), ability to focus (55%), and mental health (42%). 

“In our increasingly digital world, it’s important for employers today to view vision benefits as part of a holistic approach to health and preventive health care plans for employees,” said VSP Vision Care President Kate Renwick-Espinosa. “Not only can an eye doctor detect signs of more than 270 health conditions during an eye exam, but they can also help employees who spend significant time on screens protect and maintain their ocular health.”

“With a growing number of employees working longer hours, our research indicates that screen time may be at an all-time high,” said Dan Schawbel, Managing Partner, Workplace Intelligence. “Employers have an opportunity to meet this moment for their employees, improve their organization's productivity, and reduce healthcare costs by providing the support and benefits their people need to reduce digital eye strain.”

For more information on the study and tips for helping workers reduce their screen time, visit here.

# # # 

About VSP Vision
At VSP Vision^™, our purpose is to empower human potential through sight. As the first national not-for-profit vision benefits company, this is what drives everything we do. For nearly 70 years, VSP has been the leader in health-focused vision care. Every day, the people that power our complementary businesses—VSP^® Vision Care, Marchon Eyewear, Inc., Visionworks^®, Eyefinity^®, Eyeconic^®, VSP^® Optics, and VSP^® Ventures—work together to create a world where everyone can bring their best vision to life. That means providing affordable access to eye care and eyewear for more than 85 million members through a network of more than 41,000 doctors. It also means expanding access to vision care to those disadvantaged by income, distance, or disaster through VSP Vision^™ Eyes of Hope^®. To date, more than 4 million people in need have received access to no-cost eye care and eyewear through one of our Eyes of Hope programs. Learn more about how we’re reinvesting in greater vision, health, and opportunities for all at vspvision.com.

About Workplace Intelligence
Workplace Intelligence is an award-winning thought leadership and research agency focused on the world of work. We help companies, and their executives, tell their workplace story in a meaningful, relevant, and impactful way using primary data, insights, and interviews. For more information go to our website and subscribe to our LinkedIn newsletter.