Welcome to the 2025 State of HR in Optometry! We’re excited to share the latest findings from our annual survey, where optometry practice owners across the country provided insights into their HR practices, challenges, and strategies. This report uncovers the HR pain points that optometry practices face, from managing compliance and document storage to handling manual HR tasks and staying current with regulations.
In a constantly evolving healthcare landscape, optometry practice owners must juggle patient care with administrative responsibilities. Our survey reveals the key areas where practices are facing HR challenges, along with actionable insights on how to overcome them. HR for Health is committed to supporting optometry practices with tailored solutions that make HR management simpler, more efficient, and compliant with industry standards.
In the following sections, we’ll dive deeper into the data to highlight the specific trends, challenges, and opportunities that emerged from this year’s survey. We’ll also showcase the ways that HR for Health can help your practice tackle these challenges, so you can focus on delivering exceptional patient care and growing your practice in today’s competitive healthcare environment.
Our survey of optometry practice owners provides valuable insights into the current state of HR in the industry.
One standout finding is that 42% of practices still rely on physical file cabinets to store employee documents, leaving them vulnerable to security and compliance risks. Additionally, 20% aren’t using timestamped electronic time clocks, which can complicate payroll accuracy and compliance with wage and hour regulations. These findings highlight a clear need for modernization within many practices.
As you read through this report, you’ll find insights and best practices to address these issues head-on, along with information on how HR for Health can support your practice. From secure document management and automated timekeeping to expert HR guidance, our tools and services are designed to ease the administrative load and protect your practice from potential pitfalls.
Let’s Dive In
42% of practices report keeping employee documents in a physical filing cabinet.
In a surprising finding, 42% of optometry practices still keep employee documents in a physical file cabinet. In an era where digital storage is secure, accessible, and efficient, maintaining physical files can expose practices to risks like loss, damage, or unauthorized access. Physical file storage also complicates compliance, as it’s challenging to organize and update paper records consistently. By shifting to a digital document management system, practices can streamline access, enhance security, and ensure that important employee information remains organized and compliant.
Digital solutions also make it easier to support remote HR operations and quickly retrieve information when needed. HR for Health offers secure, cloud-based storage for employee documents, giving practices peace of mind while reducing administrative overhead. Moving away from paper can significantly improve operational efficiency, save time, and reduce potential risks related to document handling, storage, and access.
20% of optometry practices are not using a timestamped electronic timeclock
In our survey, 20% of optometry practices reported they aren’t using a timestamped electronic timeclock. This oversight not only makes accurate timekeeping a challenge but can also leave practices vulnerable to payroll and compliance issues. Electronic timekeeping systems ensure accurate records of employees’ working hours, which helps prevent disputes related to pay and overtime. When employees are confident that their hours are accurately recorded, it contributes to a positive workplace environment and reduces potential HR conflicts.
Beyond compliance, digital time-tracking tools offer valuable insights into staffing needs and peak operational hours, allowing practice owners to manage their teams more effectively. Optometry practices can greatly benefit from a streamlined, electronic approach to timekeeping, as it reduces manual tasks and improves accuracy. HR for Health provides electronic time-tracking solutions that integrate seamlessly with payroll, reducing the potential for errors and ensuring that practices stay compliant with wage and hour laws.
76% of survey respondents reported spending more than 10 hours per month on HR related manual tasks
The survey revealed that 76% of respondents spend more than 10 hours per month on manual HR tasks. This significant time investment on administrative duties like payroll processing, managing schedules, and employee onboarding detracts from patient care and other high-value activities. In a field where patient satisfaction and quality care are paramount, reducing time spent on manual tasks is essential for practice growth and efficiency. Automating HR processes can not only free up valuable time but also improve accuracy and reduce stress on practice owners.
By using automated solutions, practice owners and office managers can reclaim hours every month that can be redirected toward practice development, patient care, or other essential tasks. HR for Health offers a suite of automated HR solutions designed specifically for healthcare practices, making it easier to handle HR tasks with minimal manual effort. These solutions help streamline essential HR functions, allowing practices to focus more on what matters most—patient care and practice growth.
35% of optometry practice owners found keeping up with compliance training to be the hardest aspect of HR
Staying compliant with ever-changing regulations remains a top challenge, with 35% of optometry practices identifying compliance training as the hardest part of HR. As healthcare regulations evolve, keeping up with new compliance requirements is essential to avoid costly claims, fines, or legal issues. For practice owners, managing compliance training can feel like a daunting task, particularly when juggling the complexities of local, state, and federal regulations. Without a structured approach to compliance, practices risk exposure to penalties and reputational damage.
This difficulty in keeping up with compliance can lead to potential legal issues, as we’ve seen with the high percentage of claims related to unpaid wages. It’s crucial for optometry practices to ensure that they are fully compliant with all laws and regulations to avoid legal issues that can negatively impact their business.
At HR for Health, we understand the challenges that optometry practices face in staying up-to-date with compliance requirements. That’s why we offer compliance training and guidance to ensure that practice owners and their employees are fully aware of their obligations under the law.
Our team of experts stays current with the latest legal requirements and can provide guidance and support to ensure that optometry practices remain fully compliant. By working with HR for Health, optometry practice owners can rest assured that their compliance needs are taken care of, allowing them to focus on their core business activities, such as patient care and growth.
17% said that when they have employee issues or need HR advice, they just Google it
This year’s survey uncovered that 17% of optometry practice owners rely on Google for HR advice when faced with employee issues. While online resources can provide general information, they often lack the nuanced expertise required for handling specific HR challenges within a healthcare setting. Optometry practices have unique needs and are subject to specialized regulations, and relying on general information from the internet can lead to costly mistakes, compliance issues, and HR disputes.
By partnering with a trusted HR provider, optometry practices can receive tailored advice that’s specific to their industry and compliant with current regulations. HR for Health offers expert HR guidance tailored to optometry practices, ensuring that practice owners have access to reliable information and support whenever needed. Rather than relying on generic online advice, practice owners can make informed HR decisions that protect both their business and their team.
At HR for Health, we understand the unique challenges that optometry practices face when it comes to HR management, compliance, and employee relations. That’s why we offer a range of solutions designed specifically for optometry organizations, from customized employee handbooks and policies to compliance audits, training, and more.
Our team of HR experts has years of experience working with optometry practices of all sizes and specialties, and we are dedicated to providing personalized and effective solutions that meet the unique needs of each client. Whether you are looking to outsource your HR tasks, create customized policies and procedures, or receive ongoing guidance and support, we have the expertise and resources to help you succeed.
We believe that by partnering with HR for Health, optometry practices can streamline their HR tasks, reduce the risk of costly compliance issues and employee claims, and free up valuable time and resources to focus on patient care and practice growth. Our solutions are tailored to the specific needs of optometry practices, and we work closely with our clients to ensure that they are receiving the support and guidance they need to operate efficiently and successfully.
If you are interested in learning more about how HR for Health can help your dental practice succeed, please contact us today. We would be happy to provide you with a customized consultation and show you why we are the best option for dental practices looking to improve their HR function and grow their business.
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