Getting it Right – Volunteers& Employment Liz Geddes Director of Human Resources Diocese of Chester Extn 240

Introduction Best practice Look to get it right on future occasions Undertake risk assessment on current situations Verbal contracts exist in the absence of written contracts or agreements

Resource available Just Employment document Funded by the Church Urban Fund Written on behalf of the Dioceses of Chester, Liverpool and Manchester Available via Cufx website (suggested donation) Available via Diocesan website – HR section (free of charge)

Establish type of worker Employee on a Contract of Employment Self-employed worker on Contract for Services Volunteer

Employee vs Self Employed Not the worker’s choice! Responsibility for Tax and National Insurance contributions Employee benefits & statutory provisions – paid holiday, eligible for sick pay, maternity, paternity, adoption and family emergency benefits, right to apply to an employment tribunal

Employee test Control – who makes the decisions? Organisation test – extent that the person is integrated into the organisation Equipment – does the employee provide their own equipment? Service / person – can the service be sub- contracted? See Inland Revenue website for interactive guide – ESI tool

Organists Should be employees as default position Recent Case law Use RSCM contract template – can be downloaded from website (for a fee)

Employees Recruitment in accordance with Equal Opportunities policy – process should be fair and transparent Occupational Requirement – is it determining and proportionate? Employment Equality (Religion & Belief) Regulations 2003 (subsequently amended) Responsibility of PCC as employer Formal paperwork Not a Trustee

Paperwork & Documents Contract of Employment Job Description Person Specification Policies Suggested templates available from diocese & via Just Employment Payroll – comply with RTI (Real Time Information)

Volunteers Essential to the operation of many charities and projects Give their time freely Status – not employees Relationship should be non-contractual Receive re-imbursement of expenses

Volunteer Policy Introduction / Aims of the project Ethos Recruitment Volunteer roles & responsibilities Expenses Induction & training Supporting & supervising volunteers Insurance and Health & Safety Equal Opportunities Confidentiality

Paperwork & Documents Non-contractual language Set boundaries Determines expectations Defines commitment required Volunteer role description Person specification Volunteer agreement

Checks Disclosure & Barring service checks (DBS) offered free of charge for voluntary positions NB. Do NOT offer a position subject to a clear DBS Disclosure References Trial period

Expenses for volunteers Genuinely incurred Necessary for the work Wholly for the work Adequately documented Type of expenditure allowed free of tax by the Inland Revenue

Getting it wrong! £££££££ Stress Time consuming Adverse publicity Effect on Church Family members Help available from Ecclesiastical Insurance Group

Any questions?