Why Your School's Discipline Policy Should Be Flexible
As an employer, schools should have a policy and procedure for employee discipline. But having too rigid of a discipline plan and not following it consistently can lead to lawsuits.
Be sure that your ministry is managing its staff and volunteers appropriately by learning more about the law and avoiding common errors. Develop policies, procedures, and controls that ensure accountability and protect your ministry's staff, volunteers, and financial assets. Read about best practices and check out our sample forms.
As an employer, schools should have a policy and procedure for employee discipline. But having too rigid of a discipline plan and not following it consistently can lead to lawsuits.
A discipline policy that allows for discretion when addressing bad behavior can help protect college and university employers from claims of negligence, discrimination, breach of contract, and others.
A gift acceptance policy helps schools and colleges navigate complex and sometimes risky donor gifts. It can help you avoid potential public relations issues, and it helps staff understand how to graciously turn down offers that could carry an unacceptable amount of risk.
A robust gift acceptance policy addresses many areas of risk that could lead to unintended consequences for donors as well as your school or college.
Having an online privacy policy on your organization's website can enhance trust and provide certain legal protections. This article provides sample policy language that lets online visitors/website users know what information you collect, how it will be used, who will be able to access it, and how you protect it.
When sending funds internationally, protect your ministry by complying with OFAC regulations. Here are some helpful tips to make sure you can legally transfer the funds.
Protecting data on a college campus requires teamwork and coordination. Make sure your IT staff is supported by learning the tricks cyber criminals use and knowing the right questions to ask.
Harassment policies should clearly outline your organization’s goals for promoting a safe and welcoming workplace. Effective written policies are a baseline from which a culture of transparency and accountability flourishes.
What would your development staff do if a donor requested his or her donation be refunded? Having a written plan in place puts your ministry, school, or college in a better position to respond appropriately.
Soliciting donations—or even just accepting donations—can be considered regulated activity. Your Christian nonprofit may be required to register with government entities before fundraising in certain states.
Some Christian colleges and universities are exploring Income Share Agreements, a way for students to afford college without student loans. Learn the benefits and risks.
Protecting stored data is every bit as important as protecting computer access or online accounts. Use data encryption to protect sensitive ministry information.
Learn how specialized insurance coverages can protect your finances from taking an unexpected hit.
Reduce the risk of copyright infringement in your classroom by relying on resources clearly licensed for common use and by understanding the limits of “fair use.”
Supreme Court case continues to uphold an individual's right to use government funds to attend a private Christian school: Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue and Carson v. Makin.
Two cases were decided by the Supreme Court of the United States with rulings that could have negatively affected a religious organization’s ability to make employment decisions autonomously and in accordance with its sincerely held beliefs: Bostock v. Clayton County, Georgia, and Our Lady of Guadalupe School v. Morrissey-Berru – July 8, 2020.
Ministries moving in to the creative fundraising space should be aware of the do’s and don’ts of generating income outside of their religious purpose. Knowing and following the rules provides financial transparency and protects your tax-exempt status.
In some cities and states, it's illegal to ask job candidates about their past salary or pay history. As private employers, Christian churches, schools, and nonprofit ministries are affected by these restrictions. Even if your ministry isn’t affected today, it could be in the future. It’s a good idea to keep an eye on employment trends and examine your hiring practices regularly.
Does your church, school, or ministry still use a traditional U.S. mailbox? Look into the benefits of switching to a secure mailbox or a post office box to prevent postal theft.
Reporting to your many constituents on your college or university’s good news may be second nature. But what happens when a staff member is accused of misconduct, a student dies from meningitis, or a sports team is accused of hazing? How does your college respond in the aftermath of an active shooter or violent act on your campus?
When it comes to employees taking certain prescription medications—like opioids—employers may feel unsure about what they're allowed to say or do about it. Here's some information about three common issues that can arise in a ministry workplace.
Favoring some employees over others can induce stress and lessen productivity. The practice also can lead to legal issues. These six tips help create a happier work environment.
Make sure your ministry is following the law when benefitting from property tax exemptions.
Depending on the collection and distribution process, the cash, gift cards, or presents may need to be reported to the IRS as taxable income.
Boards of smaller ministries may need to provide additional support to help their pastor stay spiritually strong.
Ministry-life dynamics are placing our nation’s pastors and their spouses at high risk of burnout. To thrive and flourish in this challenging profession, pastors must rethink and proactively adopt wellbeing protection strategies. Full Strength Network can help.
Sometimes board members and other ministry leaders ask the question - “Can I be held personally responsible for liabilities of the ministry?” The short answer is yes.
There are several misconceptions about how privacy laws apply to ministries. Do the rules apply to prayer lists? Are pastoral counselors subject to these requirements? What if a ministry has a professional counseling center? This article helps navigate a complicated subject.
Having a policy can help you respond fairly if someone asks to bring a service dog or emotional support animal to church or ministry activities.
Understanding five legal trends may help ministry leaders identify and implement ways to prevent potential liability in their ministry settings.
Embezzlement affects all ministries, regardless of their size, denomination, or location. Learn to establish controls without hurting the feelings of long-time workers.
Anytime a ministry is involved in a lawsuit, it may find itself on the receiving end of a subpoena. Learn what is expected and how best to respond.
Keep a would-be thief out the collection plate and away from church funds. It's time for a fresh look at offering safety procedures.
Many churches consider branching out to serve areas of need within their communities. Including an affiliated organization may be the answer.
As a director or officer, you could be held personally liable for financial damages that result from your actions as a board member.
The same laws that protect corporate board members in the secular world can help protect ministry board members who are acting in good faith.
Carefully screening people before allowing them to be involved in your programs can help protect your ministry from abuse, prevent theft, and reduce your ministry's liability.
You may not have to retain every record that crosses your desk, but before you decide to toss anything, determine what you need to keep and why.
Preparing for the possibility of employment claims can prevent some employment conflicts and better equip your church to deal with those that arise.
Churches have the greatest legal protection when their discipline policies apply only to those who are clearly and voluntarily affiliated with the church.
Thank you for your interest in Brotherhood Mutual. We appreciate the opportunity to provide your church or other ministry with an insurance quote and will reply to your request as soon as possible.
Text to follow...
