Churches, circuits and districts within the Methodist Church in Great Britain may each act as employing bodies in their own right. As employers, they are responsible for complying with employment legislation and for ensuring that employment relationships are managed fairly, consistently and in accordance with both legal requirements and Methodist practice.
Employment carries significant responsibilities. Decisions made throughout the employment relationship, from recruitment and appointment through to employee management and the ending of employment, can have legal, financial and reputational implications. It is therefore important that employing bodies understand their responsibilities and seek appropriate advice when required.
The employment framework continues to evolve through legislation, statutory guidance and Employment Tribunal case law. Keeping up to date with these developments can be challenging, particularly for churches, circuits and districts where employment responsibilities are often undertaken alongside other aspects of ministry and mission.
The Methodist Church is committed to supporting employing bodies in fulfilling their responsibilities confidently and effectively. This Lay Employment Resource has been developed to provide practical guidance and tools to help employers follow good employment practice, meet their legal obligations and reduce the risk of error.
The resource reflects the employment lifecycle, from identifying a staffing need and recruiting employees, through to issuing contracts, managing employment matters and bringing employment relationships to an appropriate conclusion. It also includes a range of policies, templates, forms and letters that can be adapted for local use.
By supporting good employment practice, we seek to ensure that lay employees are treated with fairness, dignity and respect, while enabling churches, circuits and districts to fulfil their responsibilities as employers and support the Church's mission effectively.