Employment of Youth Workers
The Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand has just released the Church Management Support guide which been written by the Financial Services Department (FSD).
CHURCH MANAGEMENT SUPPORT GUIDE
Section 2 (page 53-78) is a guide to employing staff in a church.
The church’s recruitment, selection and employment practices must comply with the regulations and responsibilities set out in New Zealand employment law and other relevant legislation, not only because it is legally obligated to do so, but because it is the best way to manage the risks involved in this relationship.
2 EMPLOYMENT OF STAFF AND LAY WORKERS……………………………………..53
2.1 Employment legislation………………………………………………………………….53
2.2 Recruitment ……………………………………………………………………………..53
2.2.1 Job description and person specification……………………………………………53
2.2.2 Advertising……………………………………………………………………………..54
2.2.3 Job applications……………………………………………………………………….55
2.2.4 Interviews………………………………………………………………………………55
2.2.5 References ………………………………………………..…………………………..56
2.2.6 Police checks…………………………………………………………………………..57
2.2.7 Employment offers……………………………………..……………………………..58
2.2.8 Job start and induction ………………………………..……………………………..59
2.3 Terms and conditions…………………………………………………………………..59
2.3.1 Individual employment agreements……………………….………………………..59
2.3.2 Staff leave……………………………………………………………………………..65
2.3.3 Other employee entitlements………………………………..………………………68
2.4 Performance management ……………………………………………………………70
2.4.1 Performance management cycle……………………………..…………………….70
2.4.2 Disciplinary matters…………………………………………….…………………….71
2.5 Volunteers……………………………………………………………………………….72
2.5.1 Definition………………………………………………………………………………72
2.5.2 Health and safety obligations ………………………………………………………72
2.5.3 Training and development…………………………………………………………..72
2.5.4 Volunteer payments and expense reimbursement……………………………….73
2.6 Health and Safety in Employment……………………………………………………74
2.6.1 Overview …………………………………………………………………………….74
2.6.2 Employers’ responsibilities relating to health and safety in employment ……..74
2.6.3 Church responsibilities under the HSE Act……………………………………….74
2.6.4 Safety in Youth Ministry…………………………………………………………….78
2.6.5 The role of unions under the HSE Act…………………………………………….78