PERSONNEL POLICIES AND GUIDELINES

 

 

LUTHERAN CHURCH OF THE RESURRECTION

 

 

 

GRANITE BAY, CALIFORNIA

 

 

APRIL 2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LUTHERAN  CHURCH OF THE RESURRECTION

 

PERSONNEL POLICIES AND GUIDELINES

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

INTRODUCTION

 

SECTION 1: OPERATING STRUCTURE

·      Responsible Committees

·      Employment Categories

 

SECTION 2: EMPLOYMENT

·      Application, Physical Examination, and Background Checks

·      Position Descriptions

·      New Staff Orientation

·      Employee Personnel Records

·      Records Retention

 

SECTION 3:  PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS (not completed)

 

SECTION 4: DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS

·      Employee Status

·      Conditions of Employment

·      Corrective Action Planning

·      Salary Reduction

·      Suspension

·      Termination

 

SECTION 5: COMPLAINT RESOLUTION PROCEDURES

 

SECTION 6: TREATMENT OF EMPLOYEES

 

SECTION 7: WAGES, HOURS AND WORKING CONDITIONS (not completed)

 

SECTION 8: EMPLOYEES BENEFITS (not completed)

 

SECTION 9 & 10: REASONS FOR RISK MANAGEMENT PLAN

 

SECTION 9: RISK MANAGEMENT – EMPLOYEES AND VOLUNTEERS WORKING WITH                          CHILDREN

·      Screening Employees and Volunteers

·      Policies and Procedures

·      Educating Staff, Children and Parents

 

SECTION 10: RISK MANAGEMENT – OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY

·      Workers’ Compensation

·      Workplace Injury and Illness/Prevention Policy Statement

·      Work Place Injury and Illness Prevention Program

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INTRODUCTION

 

Under The direction of the Congregation Council of the Lutheran Church of the Resurrection (LCR), this Personnel Policies and Guidelines Manual for the active pastoral staff and the employees has been drafted. Pastoral staff are not employees of LCR.  They are called by the congregation and remain under the auspices of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA). By governmental regulatory agencies, they are considered self-employed (rather than holding an employee status).  Policies related to the pastoral staff are contained in Part II of this manual and can be modified by the action of the congregation according to the Church Constitution. 

 

Employment with LCR is at-will and of indefinite duration.  Either the employee of LCR may terminate employment at any time, with or without notice and for any reason.  No agreement to the contrary will be recognized unless such an agreement is in writing and signed by the President of the Church Council.

 

The policies contained here in that are related to employees can be modified at any time at the recommendation of the appropriate committee or governing board with the approval of the Church Council.

 

Needs and practices may result in the Church and the Granite Bay Christian Pre- School having differing policy requirements.  As a result, although all employees are covered by the policies set forth in this manual, there may be different terms and conditions among the staff.  In cases where the terms or conditions of an employee’s position are outlined in a position description and they differ from the policies set forth in this manual, the position description will take precedence.  All position descriptions that contain terms or conditions differing from this manual must be signed by the President of the Church Council to have precedence.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Part I – EMPLOYEES

 

 

SECTION I     OPERATING STRUCTURE

 

1.1               Responsible Committees

         

A.       The Lutheran Church of the Resurrection Personnel Committee is charged with the responsibility to develop personnel policies and consult with pastoral staff, employees, contracted staff, key volunteers, and Church Committees in developing and administering the Church’s personnel policies.  The Church Council will strive to ensure continuity in personnel policy, practice, and procedure so that employees of LCR are fairly and equitably treated.  The Church Council will endeavor to document existing policies and procedures, benefits, and job descriptions, and provide for the maintenance of these in an orderly and current status.  The Council will be responsible for making changes in existing personnel policies or adopting new policies based on input from the Pastor(s) and Staff and the appropriate committees or governing boards, or its own periodic review of the policies.  The Church Council acts to employ and/or dismiss all salaried employees and officials of the congregation, such as organist, choir director, custodian, parish secretary, or other positions which from time to time may be created. 

 

B.       The Personnel Committee shall consist of the Senior Pastor, a Church Council member or designee appointed as chair, and volunteer members of the church.  The Church Council will be responsible for acting on the recommendations of the Committee regarding any employment action of the staff.   

 

1.2               Employment Categories

 

The employees at LRC fall within the following employment categories and definitions:

 

A.       Employees eligible for benefits: Employees who work thirty-six hours or more per week, year round, are eligible for benefits.  Currently this includes the Church Secretary and the Youth-Christian Education Lay Professional.      

 

B.       Employees not eligible for benefits:  Employees who work less than thirty-six hours per week and may or may not have a fixed schedule of work hours.    These positions currently include:

              Maintenance Worker

              Lay Ministries Coordinator

              Nursery Attendants

              Organist/Chancel Choir Director

              Gentle Praise Director

              Bell Choir Director

              Chancel Choir Accompanist

 

Specific hours, work schedules, and responsibilities may be found in the individual job descriptions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SECTION 2 EMPLOYMENT

 

2.1              Application, Physical Examination, and Background Checks

 

After a job offer is made and prior to reporting to work, individuals will be required to complete an employment application, background check (including fingerprints), a completed physical examination form (including TB test).  The physical exam will be at the employee’s expense.  TB tests will need to be renewed according to state regulations.

 

2.2              Position Descriptions

 

A position description is one of the tools used to ensure that a supervisor and the employee have a common understanding of the duties, responsibilities, authority, and qualifications for the position. These descriptions are not intended to be “all encompassing,” and other duties and responsibilities may be required at the supervisor’s discretion.  Descriptions may be used to compare positions a LCR with those in other similar institutions for the purposes of determining a fair and equitable salary range.  Position descriptions are to be periodically reviewed by the Personnel Committee, Pastors, and appropriate committees and are kept with the master personnel manual.

 

2.3              New Staff Orientation

 

All new staff of LCR shall receive an orientation from their supervisor.  This orientation shall include a discussion of all personnel policies applicable to the employee, the applicable position description, the performance evaluation procedure, the governing structure of LCR, confirmation of the items contained in the offer of employment letter, and other such matters as determined appropriate by the supervisor. As part of the orientation, employees should receive a copy of this manual and a copy of the position description for his/her position.

 

2.4              Employee Personnel Records

 

When an individual is employed by the Church, 2 personnel folders shall be established for him/her.  Employee records are confidential except for lawfully required disclosure. 

 

Folder I shall contain:

·     Employment application and/or resume

·     Position Description

·     Letter of offer of employment

·     New Employee Orientation Checklist

·     E-4 Certificate

·     I-9 Certificate

·     Copy of all performance evaluations

·     Records of salary actions

·     Progressive/corrective counseling documentation

·     Other documents as determined appropriate

 

Folder II shall contain:

·     Attending Physician statement (see 9.1C) and any other medical information

 

Employees may review their personnel files at any time during normal business hours, with twenty-four hours notice.

 

2.5              Records Retention

 

Throughout an employee’s employment at LCR, the personnel file of each employee shall be maintained by the Pastor or designee on an ongoing basis.  Upon termination of an individual’s employment, the existing file shall be retained for a period of not less than three years, at the end of which time it may be destroyed.

 

Information included in the personnel file shall be strictly confidential and shall only be accessible by individuals on a “need-to-know” basis in order to complete the necessary functions associated with the individual’s employment (for example, updating personal history, or obtaining insurance information for a worker’s compensation situation).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SECTION 3 PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS

 

3.1              Evaluation Process

 

Within the first thirty days of employment, each employee and his/her supervisor shall meet to discuss the objectives of the position and review the existing job description for the position.  Specific areas of responsibilities or areas to be emphasized will be documented and used to establish goal and objectives for the employee for the coming year.  Throughout the next twelve months, the employee sho9uld have at least a mid-year meeting to discuss the employee’s progress in meeting the objectives of the position, reset the goals and objectives if necessary, or develop a corrective action plan in objectives are not being met.  Throughout the year, the supervisor should solicit input from the “Church Committee Chairperson with which the staff member is affiliated and any other employee or Church member that has first-hand knowledge of experience with the employee’s job performance.  The supervisor and the employee are jointly responsible to see that the evaluation process is carried through.

 

3.2              Written Evaluation

 

The written evaluation is to be performed on or before the first anniversary of the employee’s hire date, then by the end of February every year thereafter.  By January 1 of each year the employee shall complete and submit to his/her supervisor a self-assessment of his/her own performance.

 

The written evaluation of an employee’s performance should contain a summary of the degree of accomplishment of the employee’s objectives, specific performance factors relevant to the position, as well as the mutually agreed upon objectives for that employee for the coming year.  It should also contain recommended areas of improvement of applicable.

 

3.3              Evaluation Meeting

 

Prior to the due date of the evaluation, the supervisor and employee will meet to discuss the evaluation A (see paragraph 3.1).  During the evaluation meeting, the supervisor and employee will discuss the employee’s performance over the year; review the employee’s self-assessment, the supervisor’s evaluation, and any areas needing improvement.  The supervisor and employee should review the employee’s job description and discuss any recommendations for necessary revisions.  Written objectives for the following year shall be set mutually.  Recommended revisions to the job descriptions must be submitted to the Personnel Committee.  Upon review by the Committee, the recommendation for revision or denial shall be made to the Church Council for action or information.

 

The evaluation shall be signed by the supervisor and employee (indicating acknowledgement of receipt of the evaluation, not necessarily agreement) and submitted to the Senior Pastor for final signature.  A signed copy shall be provided to the employee.

 

 

 

 

The President of the Church Council of the congregation shall countersign evaluation completed by the Senior Pastor after the evaluation meeting and signature of the Senior Pastor and employee.

 

Originals of all completed and signed evaluation will be placed in the employee’s personnel file.

 

3.4              Evaluation Rebuttal

 

The employee has the right of written rebuttal or comment bemade a part of the evaluation.  A secondary meeting may be held to review any rebuttal or comment.  Should the rebuttal result in mutual agreement that the evaluation will be revised, it will then be submitted to the Senior Pastor and the President of the Church Council for signature and placed in the employee’s file.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SECTION 4 DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS

 

4.1              Employee Status

 

Employment at LCR is “at-will” and of indefinite duration  No agreement to the contrary will be recognized unless such an agreement is in writing and signed by the President of the Church Council.

 

4.2              Conditions of Employment

 

As an “at-will” employer LCR uses progressive discipline.  However, in cases of repeated willful or flagrant violations, progressive discipline may be waved, and the employee may be immediately terminated.  LCR retains the discretion to determine under what circumstances discipline is appropriate.  Disciplinary action may include, but is not limited to, verbal and/or written warning, corrective action planning, salary reduction, suspension with or without pay, or termination.  Standards are contained, in part, in these policies and guidelines, in professional and employee codes of ethics, in employee job descriptions, in Letters of Call, and in the ELCA constitution.  Not all standards are written; some are based merely on common sense.  Levels of discipline are described below.  Employees shall not be required to pass through each level of discipline before the next level or termination is initiated.   

 

4.3              Corrective Action Planning

 

While LCR believes each employee is primarily responsible for managing his or her performance and behavior, it is recognized that there may be appropriate times for corrective action.  This will be accomplished by the following steps:

                  

                   A. Coaching for problem solving – This is the first level of the formal discipline process.  This is a discussion with an employee when a performance problem has developed.  The objective of this meeting is to clarify expectations, help the employee recognize why he or she is not fully meeting those expectations and improve performance by developing solutions agreed upon by both the supervisor and employee.  These solutions should have specific timeframes and shall be documented with one copy given to the employee and another placed in the employee personnel file.

 

                   B.  Written Reprimand – A written reprimand is the second level of the formal discipline process and shall be administered when the employee does not meet a commitment to improve following the problem solving level. In this meeting with the employee, the supervisor will review the previous meeting and again clarify expectations to remind the employee of his/her commitment to improve performance.  The employee will be advised that, unless performance improves to a satisfactory level, the next step will involve salary reduction, suspension, or termination.  Again, this meeting shall be well documented with copies given to the employee and placed in his/her personnel file.

 

4.4              Salary Reduction

 

When a temporary salary reduction is more likely to correct a performance deficiency than a written reprimand or a suspension, the supervisor, in consultation with the personnel committee, may recommend to the church council a temporary salary reduction of up to 10% for not more than two months.  Upon council approval, such a reduction shall be put into effect and shall include written notice to the employee of the performance deficiency and the required corrective action. At the end of the salary reduction period, the employee shall be notified as to whether the required corrective action has been achieved.  Should the employee’s performance deficiency not be corrected, or should it be corrected and performance again revert to an unacceptable level, suspension or termination will be in order.

 

4.5              Suspension

 

The supervisor and personnel committee, after consultation with the Church Council, may suspend an employee, with or without pay, for disciplinary reasons.  An employee who is suspended will be given written notice of the reasons for the action, and a copy will be made a part of his/her personnel file.  Employees can be suspended for incidents that merit termination if the employee’s participation is suspected, but unclear.  Under these circumstances, the Church Council can suspend the employee with pay while an investigation is being completed.

 

4.6              Termination

 

                   A. When an employee’s performance deficiency is flagrant, or when other forms of corrective action have been unsuccessful, or when, in the opinion of the supervisor and personnel committee other forms of corrective action have very little chance of achieving a successful level of performance, the supervisor and personnel committee may recommend to the Church Council that the employee be terminated.  The employee shall be given the opportunity to present facts and arguments in opposition to the termination to the Church Council prior to the effective date of the proposed termination.  Between the time the personnel committee notifies the employee of the intent to recommend the employee’s termination and the effective date of the termination, the Church Council may place the employee on a leave of absence with or without pay.  The reason(s) for the proposed termination will be formally presented to him/her in writing, will become part of the employee’s official personnel file.   

 

                   B. Some offenses warrant immediate Involuntary Termination.  These include, but are not limited to:

         

·     Theft – including, but not limited to, the removal of LCR property or the                    property of another person from the premises without prior                                   authorization.

         

·     Acts of dishonesty or criminal behavior, including omissions or                           misrepresentations made on the employment application.

         

·     Acts leading to loss of trust or confidence in LCR or Granite Bay                         Christian Preschool.

                  

·     Acts that endanger or may potentially endanger or injure                            congregation    members, students, or staff.

         

·     Unexcused absence for 3 days.

         

·               Harassment (refer to section 6)

         

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SECTION 5 COMPLAINT RESOLUTION PROCEDURES

 

Employees who feel they have a concern within their employment relationship with LCR should discuss it with their immediate supervisor in an attempt to resolve the concerns.  The problem may be presented verbally or in writing.  If a verbal complaint is satisfactorily resolved, the supervisor shall document the ]employee’s written complaint within ten working days of receipt.  Supervisors are to keep written records for review of past actions and for consistency.

 

If the complaint is not resolved by the immediate supervisor or the employee believes the supervisor is part of the complaint, he/she may submit it directly to the Senior Pastor or the Chair of the Personnel Committee at the employee’s discretion. If the complaint becomes the responsibility of the Personnel Committee, the Committee, upon looking into the matter, may seek appropriate counsel.

 

The Personnel Committee will inform the supervisor of the complaint.  If the complaint is not resolved, the Committee will refer the matter to the Church Council with or without a recommendation. The Church Council will have final authority over the resolution of the complaint.  The employee will be provided a written response.

 

Recognizing that people have different impressions and different recollections of the same events, an employee should bring any complaints to the attention of the appropriate person as soon as is reasonable.  Undue delay in calling a problem to the attention of the appropriate person might itself be reason for no action.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SECTION 6   TREATMENT OF EMPLOYEES

 

LCR is committed to developing and maintaining practices that assure fair and equitable consideration for (or treatment of) every employee.

 

Harassment or intimidation of employees resulting from their race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, Vietnam era veteran status, or age has been determined to be in violation of federal and state laws regarding Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Policy and various other civil rights laws.

 

All pastoral staff, employees, and supervisors of LCR are required to refrain from engaging in any behavior that is or might be perceived to be harassment.  It is against LCR’s policy for any employee, male or female, to sexually harass another employee, a member of the congregation, or any individual or group of individuals taking part in any function on campus or utilizing facilities of the campus.  Further, LCR will not tolerate harassment of employees or members of the congregation by individuals utilizing congregational services or facilities.

 

Some examples of what may be considered harassment include:

 

  • Verbal harassment, e.g., derogatory or vulgar comments regarding a person’s race, sex, religion, ethnic heritage, or physical appearance.
  • Physical harassment, e.g., touching, hitting, pushing, or other aggressive physical conduct or threats to take such action.
  • Sexual harassment, e.g., making unwelcome sexual advances or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature a term of employment or condition of an individual’s employment, making submission to or rejection of such conduct the basis for employment decisions affecting the employee, unreasonably interfering with an employee’s work performance, or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment by such conduct.
  • Visual harassment, e.g., posters, cartoons, or written or graphic material of a sexual nature.

 

Each current employee and all new employees should receive a copy of this policy and resources available if deemed necessary or appropriate.  All allegations of harassment will be promptly and thoroughly investigated.  Any employee who violates the harassment policy will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment.

 

Employees who have question or concerns about harassment or intimidation on the job are encouraged to discuss the matter with their supervisor or a member of the pastoral staff and to use the complaint resolution procedure described in Section 5.

 

 

 

 

 

 

SECTION 7 WAGES, HOURS, AND WORKING CONDITONS

 

Wages, hours, and working conditions are governed by Industrial Welfare Commission Order Number 4.89.

 

7.1              Pay

 

Levels of pay, general pay increases, and the extent of employee benefits coverage for all employees is derived from the annual budget and require congregational approval.  The creation of a budget is an ”open” process and employees are encouraged to give input to the budget committee during this process.  Employees should understand that final action/decisions are subject to final approval at the congregation annual meeting.

 

When a general pay increase is adopted in the annual budget, and employee who begins service during the preceding year shall receive a proportionate pay increase equal to the fraction of the year he/she was on staff.  For example, if the adopted budget includes four percent overall pay increase for regular employees effective January 1, and an employee joined the staff on August 1 (thus, five months served), then the effective increase for that employee would be 5/12 of the general increase, i.e., 5/12x4% or a 1.67% pay increase.

 

A merit pay increase or merit bonus may be given when exceptional performance is noted.  The Senior Pastor will make a recommendation to the Board of Trustees, who has final approval.

 

7.2              Work Schedules

 

Employees and pastoral staff are responsible for accomplishing the goals of their ministries and programs.  Flexible scheduling is acknowledged as being necessary; however, fulfillment of the regularly scheduled work hours is expected for all employees.

 

Overtime will be paid for hours worked beyond eight hours in any workday or more than forty hours in any workweek, pursuant to applicable law.  All overtime or compensatory time off (CTO) must receive prior approval from the Senior Pastor.

 

Compensatory time off for overtime beyond eight hours in any workday may be used under the following conditions:

 

A.      Prior to working overtime, the employee must voluntarily request in writing that he/she be granted compensatory time off in lieu of overtime compensation. In making such a request, the employee must clearly state in writing that he/she wishes to be compensated at the overtime rate in the form of time off from work, rather than in the form of monetary compensation.

B.      The time off must be given at the rate at which it is earned, i.e., one and one-half hour off for one hour of overtime worked from the 8th to the 12th hour in a day and two hours off for one hour of overtime worked after the 12th hour in one day.

C.      The time off must be given before the end of the next pay period after the pay period in which the CTO is earned.

D.      The time off must be given during what would normally be work time.

E.      Records must be kept which accurately reflect overtime earned and taken.

 

Compensatory time off or pay for hours worked beyond the regularly scheduled hours, but less that eight hours in any workday or forty hours in any workweek, will be granted at the  normal pay rate and must be approved by the Senior Pastor.  When at all practical, approval should be prior to the CTO or work beyond the regularly scheduled hours.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SECTION 8 EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

 

The provisions of this section apply to all church employees unless their specific Letter of Call indicates differently.  Employees eligible for benefits are defined in Section 1.2.

 

8.1              Health Insurance/Retirement

 

A pre-tax account in the amount equal to fifteen percent of the employee’s annual compensation is available for use by eligible employees to fund health insurance or retirement investment (403b) within the guidelines approved by the Church Council.  Any unused funds at the end of the calendar year are lost to the employee, as no cash payment to the employee is authorized.  Employees are not required to use any specific individual or plan but are free to use any appropriate individual or company.

 

To insure tax-free compensation, payment for any plan or option must be made by the Church.  While no “open enrollment period” for changing plans or options has been established, two changes per year are allowed. After which changes may be made only with the approval of the Senior Pastor or his designee.

 

8.2              Holidays

 

The Church will officially recognize the following holidays, and the Church office will be closed on those days.  Employees are eligible for holiday pay on the first day of employment.

 

          A.      New Year’s Day                       F.      Labor Day

          B.      Martin Luther Kin, Jr. Day        G.      Thanksgiving Day

          C.      President’s Day                       H.      Post Thanksgiving Day

          D.      Memorial Day                          I.       Christmas Day

          E.      4th of July                                 J.       Post Christmas Day

 

Holidays that fall on Sunday will be observed on Monday.  Holidays that fall on Saturday will be observed on Friday, except employees who normally work on Saturday, who will observe the holiday on Saturday.

 

8.3              Vacation time

 

Vacation time provides paid time away from work for such things as vacation, outside activities, personal business, and family matters.

 

          A.      Eligible employees receive the yearly accrual of vacation on January 1st of each year according to the schedule in 8.3B.  Vacation time may be taken in hourly, daily, or weekly increments.  Vacation time can be accrued up to one time the annual accrual, at which time vacation time will no longer accrue until vacation time is used.

 

         

 

 

 

B.      Schedule of vacation Accrual

 

YEARS OF SERVICE

YEARLY ACCRUAL RATE IN DAYS

VACATION ACCRUAL CAP IN DAYS

First Year

5

5

2 through 5

10

10

6 through 15

15

15

16 and up

20

20

 

          C.      Scheduling and Approval Procedures

         

          1.       Vacation time must be scheduled and approved in advance of         the requested time off.  Employees are limited to paid time off    equal to or less than the time accrued.  Time off beyond that      which is accrued will be without pay.  Vacation tie cannot be   borrowed against future accruals.

 

          2.       Scheduling of vacation is at the discretion of the Senior         Pastor.

 

          3.       Accrued and unused vacation will be paid out at the time of   termination.

 

8.4     Sick Leave

 

Sick Leave provides time off with pay for periods of illness or incapacity resulting from injury.

 

          A.      Eligible employees receive the yearly accrual of sick leave on                                      January 1st of each year according to the schedule in 8.4B.  Sick                        leave may be taken in hourly, daily, or weekly increments.  The

                   maximum accrual of sick leave is thirty days.  There will be no                                      payment for unused sick leave.

 

          B.      Schedule of Sick Leave Accrual:  Eligible employees accrue ten                         days of sick leave each calendar year beginning January 1st.  A                          maximum of thirty days of sick leave may be accrued.

 

          C.      Scheduling and approval procedures

 

                   1.       Each employee is responsible for directly notifying his or her                                       supervisor within one hour of the beginning of each working                                day when illness prevents his or her attendance at work.                                  When an extended length of absence due to illness is                                           required, supervisors must be kept advised of the expected                               length and anticipated return to work day

 

                   2.       Employees are limited to paid time off equal to or less that the                           time accrued.  Time off beyond that which is accrued will be                               without pay or vacation pay may be used.  Sick Leave cannot                                be borrowed against future accruals.

                   3.       A doctor’s statement is required for more than three days                                   absence due to illness at the discretion of the Senior Pastor or                          when an accumulation of scattered absences seems to                                           establish a pattern of illness.  LCR may request and obtain                                      verification of the circumstances surrounding any use of sick                                  leave.

 

8.5              Bereavement Leave

 

One (1) to five (5) days of time off at the discretion of the Senior Pastor may be allowed for a death in the immediate family of an eligible employee.  Criteria for the amount of time off allowed include such factors as the need for out-of-town travel and responsibility for handling funeral arrangements.  The tern immediate family includes the following: spouse, child, stepchild, parent, sibling, grandparent, grandchildren, spouse’s parent, child, grandchildren, or sibling.

 

8.6              Jury Duty

 

It is the desire of LCR that all employees discharge their civic responsibilities by serving on a Municipal, County, or Federal Jury when called and that they suffer no loss in pay while fulfilling this duty.  Eligible employees may be paid for up to ten days per year when called to jury duty.  Employees are expected to spend as much time as possible on their job during the period of jury duty.

 

8.7     Leaves of Absence

 

Any leave of absence must be recommended to the Personnel Committee and approved by the Board of Trustees.  Leaves of absence shall be considered leave without pay or benefits.  A request for such leave must be in writing, stating the reason for the leave and intention to return to work on a specific date.  Any granted sick leave or accrued vacation leave must be used prior to the beginning of the leave.

 

Failure to return to work on the scheduled date without advance approval from the Senior Pastor will be considered a voluntary termination.

 

8.8              Car Allowance

 

A car allowance will be provided to Church employees whose job requirements necessitate church related/required travel.  These jobs currently are identified as ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Youth-Christian Education Lay Professional. The amount of the car allowance is a flat dollar amount determined through the annual budget process.

 

Other employees who may be required to use a far during the course of business will be reimbursed a per mile reimbursement based on current IRS regulations.  Any such car use must have prior approval of the Senior Pastor.  Submission for payment must occur within thirty days of expense.  Incases where employees use his/her personal vehicle for Church business, the individual’s insurance will be primary.  Injury to the employee occurring while on Church business will be administered in accordance with the Worker’s Compensation plan.

 

 

SECTIONS 9 and 10 RISK MANAGEMENT:

 

Reasons for Risk Management Plan

·     To ensure a safe environment for all

·     To protect children, youth and adults from abuse and/or violence

·     To protect staff and volunteers from allegations

·     To respond quickly and appropriately to concerns

·     To protect the assets of the church

 

SECTION 9: Employees and Volunteers Working with Children

 

9.1              Screening employees and volunteers

     a. All employees who work on campus in contact with the children and youth will have  

          fingerprint/background screening through the Justice Department.

      b. A list of all adult volunteers who work with children or youth in church programs will

          be compiled annually. (If we determine that a “voluntary disclosure statement” has validity for

            liability purposes, this will be included here.)

 

9.2              Policies and Procedures

 

a.  Employees shall not have contact with children until the screening is completed.  (Volunteers shall not be alone with children until “voluntary disclosure statements are completed.)

b.  Leaders who are youths shall be monitored by adults.

c.  Children’s and youth’s activities shall be held in visible areas.

d.  Children’s activities at church shall be randomly monitored by a supervisor.

e.  All pastors, Youth/Christian Education Lay Professional and office staff are trained in reporting and investigating suspicious behavior, including reporting sexual abuse to the lawful authorities per Personnel Policy.  All Sunday School teachers are informed or reporting procedures.

f.   A plan for investigating and reporting harassment or sexual offenses is outlined in section 6 of this document.

 

9.3     Educating staff, children and parents

  1. Our pastors and our Youth/Christian Education Lay Professional have been trained in investigating and counseling techniques and sexual abuse reporting mandates.  Training for volunteers will be done yearly as programs begin.
  2. A summary of the church’s risk management policy will be summarized and printed in the personnel committee’s portion of LCR’s Annual Report.  A statement will be included to inform congregation of where the policy in its entirety can be located.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SECTION 10            RISK MANAGEMENT – OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY

 

10-1             Workers Compensation

 

Employees are protected under the state worker’s compensation law against loss of income due to injury or death that occurs during work activities.  LCR pays the entire cost of the worker’s compensation insurance premium.  Employees must report all job-related accidents, injuries, and illness immediately after experiencing symptoms.  The insurance carrier will determine the benefits, it any, the employee will receive.

 

 

          A.       Reporting – Any employee injured on the job will report the injury immediately                              to the supervisor, regardless of whether the injury is minor or of no apparent                       significance.

 

          B.       Incident Report – All incidents of workplace injury will be reported promptly to                              the Senior Pastor and recorded.  An incident report must be completed within                              twenty-four hours of knowledge of accident or injury.  Failure of                                        an employee to document job-related injuries may result in disciplinary action,                       up to and including termination. 

 

10.2    Workplace Injury and Illness Prevention Program Policy Statement

 

 

 

It is the intent of LCR to comply with applicable law.  Each employee is responsible for reporting unsafe conditions to the supervisor or pastor.  LCR will provide all mechanical and physical safeguards required for personal safety and health, in keeping with the highest standards.  LCR will maintain a safety and health program conforming to the best practices of organizations of this type  Our goal is zero incidents.

 

Our safety and health program will include:

  • Conducting safety and health inspections of every job.
  • Training all employees in good safety and health practices.
  • Providing necessary personal protective equipment, and instructions for use and care.
  • Developing and enforcing safety and health rules, and requiring that employees cooperate with these rules.
  • Investigating, promptly and thoroughly, every accident to find out what caused it and correct the problem so it will not happen again.

 

 

 

10.3              Workplace Injury and Illness Prevention Program

 

Responsibility

 

The injury and Illness Prevention (IIP) Program administrator, the Senior Pastor, has the authority and the responsibility for implementing and maintaining this IIP Program for LCR.

 

As part of the Personnel Manual, it is the responsibility of each employee to become familiar with and adhere to the IIP.

 

Compliance

All employees are responsible for complying with safe and healthful work practices.  Our system of ensuring that all workers comply with these practices include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Informing employees of the provisions of our IIP Program
  • Disciplining workers for failure to comply with safe and healthful work practices.

 

Communication

 

Supervisors are responsible for communicating with all employees about occupational safety and health in a form readily understandable by all workers.  Our communication system encourages all workers to inform management about workplace hazards without fear of reprisal.  Our communication system includes the following:

 

  • New worker orientation
  • Posted or distributed safety information.
  • Supervisors communicate with and instruct employees orally about general safe work practices.

Hazard Assessment

 

Inspections to identify and evaluate workplace hazards shall be performed by a competent observer in the areas of our workplace:

 

 

These inspections are performed when:

 

  • We initially established our IIP Program
  • Occupational injuries and illnesses occur
  • Workplace conditions warrant an inspection

 

Accident / Exposure Investigations

 

Procedures for investigating workplace accidents and hazardous substance exposure include:

 

  • Interviewing injured workers and witnesses
  • Examining the workplace for factors associated with the accident / exposure
  • Determining the cause of the accident / exposure
  • Taking corrective action to prevent the accident / exposure from recurring
  • Recording the findings and actions taken

 

Hazard Correction

 

Unsafe or unhealthy work conditions, practices or procedures shall be corrected in a timely manner based on the severity of the hazards.  Hazards shall be corrected according to the following procedures:

 

  • When observed or discovered
  • When an imminent hazard exists which cannot be immediately abated without endangering employees or property, we will remove all exposed workers from the area except those necessary to correct the existing condition.  Workers who are required to correct the hazardous condition shall be provided with the necessary protection

 

Training and Instruction

 

All employees shall have training and instruction on general and ob-specific safety and health practices.  Training and instruction is provided:

 

  • When the IIP Program is first established
  • To all new employees
  • To all workers given new job assignments Whenever new substances, processes, procedures, or equipment are introduced to the workplace and represent a new hazard
  • Whenever the employer is made aware of a new or previously unrecognized hazard
  • To all workers with respect to hazards specific to each employee’s job assignment

 

General workplace safety and health practices include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

  • Implementation and maintenance of the IIP Program
  • Emergency action and fire prevention plan
  • Provisions for medical services and first aid, including emergency procedures
  • Prevention of musculoskeletal disorders, including proper lifting techniques
  • Proper housekeeping, such as keeping stairways and aisles clear, work areas neat and orderly, and promptly cleaning up spills
  • Prohibiting horseplay, scuffling, or other acts that tend to adversely influence safety
  • Proper storage to prevent stacking goods in an unstable manner and storing goods against doors, exits,  fire extinguishing equipment, and electrical panels
  • Proper reporting of hazards and accidents
  • Hazard communication, including worker awareness of potential chemical hazards, and proper labeling of containers
  • Proper storage and handling of toxic and hazardous substances, including prohibiting eating or storing food and beverages where they can become contaminated

 

 

Recordkeeping

 

LCR has fewer than twenty employees and is not on a designated high hazard industry list.  We have taken the following steps to implement and maintain our IIP Program:

 

  • Maintain records of hazard assessment inspections
  • Maintain documentation of safety and health training for each worker

 

Inspection records and training documentation will be maintained for three (3) years, except for training records of employees who have worked for less than one year, which are provided to the employee upon termination of employment.