Employment

Employing a lay worker

If you are considering employing a lay worker, and for an early conversation around good practice, please contact Andrew Crawford, our District Employment Advisor.

Should you have Church Council or Circuit Meeting approval to make an appointment, complete the authorisation to recruit form and send to Andrew so that the necessary district approvals can be achieved. Andrew will support you to create a 'job pack' and remain available to you during the recruitment and onboarding process.

Using Contractors

From time to time it may be commercially viable for you to use the services of a self-employed contractor. If you are considering making an appointment on self-employed terms we ask that you read our guidance on self employed contractors and we encourage you have an early conversation with Andrew to ensure that the correct employment status is established.

Policies, Processes, & Forms

The district has a range of policies, processes, forms and 'how to' guides available for you to use, some of which are listed below. Should you need a specific policy, guide or form that is not listed below, please contact Andrew.

Absence management (Long Term) | Absence management (Short Term) | Absence Management Unauthorised | Adoption Leave (from UK) | Adoption Leave (From Overseas) | Alcohol and substance use | Carers leave New for 2024 | Chairing a disciplinary hearing | Compassionate leave | Difficult conversations | Disciplinary procedure | Equality, Diversity and Inclusion | Exit interview form (editable) | Expense claims | Flexible working requests (ACAS code of practice) | Flexible working requests Policy | Grievance process | Handling Fit Notes | Health and Safety Policy | Lone working | Maternity Leave | Menopause | Paternity Leave | Performance management | Probationary periods | Protected conversations (Outline & Summary) | Recording of a meeting | Redundancy process | Setting SMART Objectives | Shared Parental Leave | Sickness absence reporting and return to work form (editable) | Use of Social Media | Violence at work | Whistleblowing

Line Management

Did you know that the Learning Network deliver line management training for anyone who line manages a lay employee in the Methodist Church? Click here to learn more and to see the schedule of future training sessions. Further line manager support is available through a recently updated Line Manager Handbook.

Employment Drop-In Sessions

Andrew will host bi-monthly daytime and evening drop-in sessions for lay employees, line managers, and members of employee support/management groups. Held via Zoom and booked via Eventbrite, conversations can be on a 1-1 or a group basis, depending on your preference. Next dates/times: Tuesday 4th June – click here | Wednesday 5th June – click here

Please note that no vacancy may be advertised, neither can an appointment can be made, unless prior approval has been obtained from the District Lay Employment Sub Committee (CPD 438A (5)). This can be achieved through conversation with the District Employment Advisor.

Andrew Crawford CIPD, CIPP, NEBOSH
Email: hr@darlingtonmethodistdistrict.org.uk
Phone/Message: 07825 337500