Good employment practices are vital for ministries because they protect against employee lawsuits. This checklist covers the following questions:
Is your handbook reviewed by local counsel to confirm compliance with local, state, and federal law?
Do you use and consistently follow the terms of an employee handbook?
Is the handbook distributed and explained to employees when they are hired, and reviewed as changes are made?
Do you conduct thorough background checks for each of your employees?
In addition to background checks, do you ask for personal references for all your employees and volunteers, and follow up on those provided?
Do you store personnel information in a secure area that is separate from medical records?
Do you keep up-to-date attendance records on all personnel?
Do you accurately document employee performance throughout the year and maintain this documentation with the employee’s records?
Do you keep detailed records of annual reviews and any disciplinary actions taken for each employee?
Do you keep good records of all changes in employee status? (e.g., promotions, leaves of absence, pay rates, etc.)
Do you consult local counsel before terminating employees?
Do you have policies in place to guide what information you can share with employees about terminations?
Do you keep well-organized employment records for each employee, including applications for employment, reference checks, disciplinary actions, attendance records, changes in employee status, and I-9 immigration forms?
