Lay employment advisory information
This Lay Employment Advisory information are intended for use by churches, circuits and districts within the Methodist Church in Britain.
Recent Updates:
26 May 2021
Reminder re. EU Settlement Scheme
Please click here to view some important information relating to EU Settlement Scheme.
26 May 2021
Changes to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme from July 2021
The Government has announced Changes to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme from July 2021. In brief:
- The Government will continue to pay 80 per cent of employees’ wages for unworked hours (subject to a cap of £2,500 per month) until 30 June 2021. Employers are not obliged to contribute anything to wage costs up until that date but will need to contribute employer NICs and pension scheme contributions until the end of the scheme.
- From 1 July 2021, employers will need to contribute 10 per cent for hours not worked (up to £312.50 per month). The Government will contribute the remaining 70 per cent.
- From 1 August 2021, employers will need to contribute 20 per cent for hours not worked (up to £625 per month). The Government will contribute the remaining 60 per cent.
The scheme is due to end on 30 September 2021.
22 April 2020
The government has now launched the process by which companies and charities can claim to 80% of the salary costs of employees who have been ‘furloughed’ as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic. Further information on the process to claim this money can be found below.
On 20 March 2020, the Government announced the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme to provide funds to support all employers with a PAYE scheme to continue paying employees who would otherwise be made redundant or put on an unpaid period of lay-off. Please refer to the document below for further information. Information is also available from the Government website.
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme - 22.04.2020
Furlough Scheme Application (Excel) - 22.04.2020
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme l Churches, Circuits and Districts - 30.03.2020
Letter confirming Furlough Leave 30.03.20
Letter explaining plans to furlough staff 25.03.20
Employment related FAQ’s for Churches, Circuits and Districts Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Lay Employment Advisory Information
Introduction
The purpose of this pack is to help churches, circuits and districts in the recruitment and selection of employees and in the early stages of employment. The pack also identifies some of the issues that can arise during the employment relationship and offers advice on these matters.
As Christian employers, churches, circuits and districts are expected to operate ethically as well as within the statutory framework. Employees deserve to be employed competently and constructively. The pack takes account of good employment practice as well as current employment law.
You will find within the pack repeated advice to liaise with your District Lay Employment Secretary:
- at the start of all recruitment exercises
- over any subsequent employment issues which arise
- about any potential termination of employment.
The address of your District Lay Employment Secretary is normally to be found in the Synod Directory for your District or from HR and Development at Methodist Church House.
References to statutory regulations refer to mainland United Kingdom. Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands have different and/or additional legislative provisions which are not included in this document.
The pack is based on previous information published by the Connexional Team and has been prepared by HR & Development at Methodist Church House with help from District Lay Employment Secretaries.
This online information will be updated as and when necessary. Hard copies of this information can also be obtained as a pack from the Personnel Office, price £25.00 including VAT. District Lay Employment Secretaries will be notified directly of any changes.
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The information contained herein is believed to be accurate at the date of publication. Whilst every effort has been made to describe the law accurately, the purpose of this publication is not to advise as to how the law may be applied and interpreted. The Methodist Church, its governing body the Conference, the Methodist Council acting on behalf of the Conference, or any of the Connexional Team accept no responsibility for any loss arising out of reliance on the information contained herein.
This information may differ from District policy, so please check with your District Lay Employment Adviser, or District Office before use.
Please scroll down to access individual section(s):
Please kindly note that the appendices relating to each of the following sections are listed in full at the end of this contents list
Index
SECTION 1: The Role of the District Lay Employment Secretary
SECTION 2: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Topics covered: The Church Perspective - Equal Opportunity Monitoring - The Law on Discrimination
Appendices (Word docs)
2.0 Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Policy - updated 04.2021
2.1 Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Officer Job Description - updated 04.2021
2.2 Policy & Guidelines for appointments requiring Satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure
RECRUITMENT CYCLE
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IMPORTANT NOTE:
You will need to read the Practice Guidance on carrying out Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks as part of Safer Recruitment prior to starting any recruitment.
The electronic copy of the guidance can be downloaded from: www.methodist.org.uk/safeguarding
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SECTION 3: Exit Interview
SECTION 4: Recruitment Stage 1: Approving the Post
Appendices (Word docs)
4.1 Appointment pro forma
SECTION 5: Recruitment Stage 2: Preparing the Documents
Topics covered: The Job Description - The Person Specification - Income & Expenditure estimates for the Funding of the Appointment - The Advertisement - Draft Letter of Appointment - Statement of Terms and Conditions of Employment - Acknowledgement Letter - Application Form : Residency Arrangement
Appendices (Word docs)
5.1 Example Job Description 1 - Lay Employee
5.2 Example Job Description 2 - Caretaker
5.3 Example Person Specification 1 - Lay Employee
5.4 Example Person Specification 2 - Caretaker
5.5 Blank Person Specification pro forma
5.7 Bank Holiday Calculation Sheet
5.9 Example application form (minimum)
5.10 Equal Opportunities Monitoring form (updated Oct. 2020)
5.11 Letter responding to a request for an Application Pack
SECTION 6: Recruitment Stage 3: Processing Applications
Topics covered: Responding to Enquires - Shortlisting - Planning for the Interview - Applicants with Criminal Record
Appendices (Word docs)
6.1 Shortlisting scoresheet
SECTION 7: Recruitment Stage 4: The Interview and After
Topics covered: Preparing for the Interview - Interview Questions - The Role of the Chair - Checklist : Assessing the Candidates - References - Tips for giving Feedback to Candidates - Candidates with Disability - Record Keeping
Appendices (Word docs)
7.1 Interview scoresheet
7.2 Reference Pro-forma - (updated Oct. 2020)
SECTION 8: Recruitment Stage 5: Making an Offer of Employment
Topics covered: Verbal Offers - Conditional Offers - Start date - Written Confirmation - Written Statement of Terms and Conditions - Guidance Notes on the content of the Written Statement - Disclosure - Pre-Employment Checks
Appendices (Word docs)
8.1 Model letter of appointment
8.2 Model letter of appointment - with written statement (short) - revoked
8.3 Written statement of terms and conditions - minimum (updated Oct. 2020) - revoked
8.4 Written statement of terms and conditions - full (updated Oct. 2020)
8.5 Disciplinary procedure (updated April 2021)
8.7 Health and Safety procedure
8.8 Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 - Spent and Unspent Convictions
SECTION 9: Pensions
Appendix (Word doc)
SECTION 10: Pay Issues
Topics covered: The National Minimum Wage - The Living Wage - Honoraria/Payments to Volunteers - Guidance for Local Pay Arrangements - Local Religious Centres - Income Tax - Sick Pay Calculations
Appendices (Word docs)
10.1 Setting a salary for lay employees
10.2 HMRC Guide for LRCs
SECTION 11: Residency Arrangements
Appendices (Word doc)
11.1 Conditions of Residential Occupancy
SECTION 12: Information Specific to the Employment of Children & Youth Worker
Topics covered: Issues to consider before recruitment - Providing support/management structure - Selecting the Line Manager - Job Description - Appointment of Qualified Workers - Terms and Conditions of Employment - Advertising - Information and Support Sources
Note:
Everyone who is responsible for recruiting staff must read the Safer Recruitment Policy, and follow the '10 Step Procedure for All Recruitment'. Both documents are available from www.methodist.org.uk/safeguarding
Appendices (Word docs)
12.1 Example Job Description - Children and Youth Worker
12.2 Example Person Specification - Children and Youth Worker
12.3 Example Job Description - Children and Families Worker
12.4 Example Person Specification - Children and Families Worker
SECTION 13: On-going Employment Issues
Topics covered: Managing Performance - Variations to Contracts - Termination of Contracts - Redundancy - Retirement - Giving - References - Maternity, Paternity, Parental, Adoption Leave and Pay - Request from Parents for Flexible Working - Lone Working
Appendices (Word docs)
13.1 Redundancy Policy (template)
13.2 Statutory redundancy payment
13.3 Guidance: Risk Assessment for Lone Workers
13.4 Risk Assessment Form for Lone Workers
13.6 Maternity Leave Form
13.7 Letter re Maternity Leave & Pay
13.8 Antenatal Appointment Request Form
13.9 New and Expectant Mothers Risk Assessment Form
13.10 Keeping in Touch Days Form
13.11 Maternity Flowchart
13.13 Parental Leave Application form
13.14 Shared Parental Leave Policy
13.15 Mother's intention to take SPL form
13.16 Start and End dates of SPL form
13.17 Mother's Notice to end SPL form
13.18 Partner's Intention to take SPL form
13.19 New rules on bereavement
13.20 New Contract Changes for employers and employees
13.21 Flexible Working Policy -Template.doc (July 2021)
13.22 Flexible Working Request Form - Template.doc (July 2021)
13.23 Homeworking Policy template (permanent).doc (July 2021)
13.24 Temporary Homeworking Policy During Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic– Template.doc (July 2021)
13.25 Hybrid Working Policy Example.doc (July 2021)
SECTION 14: Other Employment Legislation
Topics covered: Data Protection Act - Working Time Regulations - Information Sources
ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS
Pensions Auto-enrolment:
Your Action Plan for Auto - enrolment
Pension Auto-enrollment Flowchart
Practice Guides:
Good Practice Guide : Holidays and holiday pay (Pdf)
Good Practice Guide: Performance management (Pdf)
Probation: Line manager briefing on effective management of the probationary period
If you require any assistance with the above please contact the HR and Development Office on 020 7486 5502
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Feedback & copyright
Methodist churches are free to use this Lay Employment Advisory Information for their own use. Any other organisations or individuals wishing to reproduce the material must contact the Methodist Church for permission. The material is copyright and cannot be used commercially without permission.
© Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes, 2010
Methodist Church House, 25 Marylebone Road, London NW1 5JR
Tel: 020 7486 5502