Employment law - things you need to know
Posted on 21 June 2023 by Global Connections
There are a few key topics that UK-based Christian organisations and churches find themselves facing regularly, and others that they might not have even considered.
Mark Mason, employment lawyer, has put together some very helpful articles for the Global Connections network on some of the topics that he is most commonly asked about by Christian churches, charities and mission agencies. All these are available to download below.
Mark Mason
Based in Belfast, Mark advises clients from all over the UK on employment law matters. He is a network associate of Global Connections and has a particular interest in advising churches and mission agencies in the areas of employment law and people management. Mark is passionate about helping clients with a Christian ethos to have HR policies and practices that are legally compliant and reflective of the ethos of the organisation.
The Equality Act – Occupational Requirement
What are the circumstances where a church, mission agency or Christian charity can legitimately assert in a recruitment exercise that the post-holder must be a Christian?
Reflecting your Christian ethos in your HR documents
Would someone know that your organisation has a Christian ethos from reading your HR documents? This short article gives some ideas for how to do so.
How should we go about recruitment and selection?
The law does not specify the method by which employers must recruit staff. What the law does require is that employers do not discriminate in their recruitment practices. So, what does that mean for employers and, in particular, employers with a religious ethos?
Volunteers and Equality Law
It is right and proper that charities treat their volunteers with respect and value their contribution to the charity. But what, if any, legal rights do volunteers have if they feel they have been discriminated against?
There is no such thing as an intern
There is no legally recognised employment status of “intern”, and so organisations and churches offering internships need to be clear on which of the legally recognised statuses applies to the particular arrangement that is being put in place.
Other useful resources
Follow the links below to find out more
Job ads - what not to say
The biggest danger employers face when drafting job adverts is falling foul of discrimination law. What can you say and what can’t you say? From worknest.
Recruitment checklist
Acas template to help employers recruit staff.
Free to download and use.
Recruitment - introduction
Looks at the main stages of the recruitment and resourcing process, from defining the role to making the appointment, from CIPD
Templates for employers
Acas example letters, forms, policies and HR documents for employers and HR managers to download and adapt for their own organisation.
Minimum wage: work experience and internships
Calling an unpaid worker ‘unpaid’ or ‘a volunteer’, even if the individual agrees to this, does not prevent them from qualifying for the minimum wage if they are entitled, from GOV.UK.
Voluntary organisations: unpaid office holders
HMRC information about reimbursement of expenses, tax, subsistence, and some worked examples.
Recruitment Matters
Sign up for quarterly eNews with resources, advice and guidance for those recruiting in the UK Christian church and charity sector.
