Lay Employment

Employing a lay worker

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

Should you have Church Council or Circuit Meeting agreement to make an appointment, please complete the authorisation to recruit form and send to Andrew so that he can achieve the necessary district approvals for you.

Andrew will support you to create a 'job pack' (including recruitment guidelines, a job description, person specification and job advert) and he will continue to be available to you during the recruitment and onboarding process.

Using Contractors

From time to time it may be necessary and 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 encourage a conversation with Andrew to ensure that the correct employment status is established.

Policies & Processes

The district has a range of policies, processes and 'How To' guides available for you to use. They cover subject areas such as:

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 interviews | Expense claims | Flexible working requests | Grievance process | Handling Fit Notes | Health and Safety Policy | Lone working | Maternity Leave | Menopause | Paternity Leave | Performance management | Probationary periods | Protected conversations | Recording of a meeting | Redundancy process | Return to work meeting | Setting SMART Objectives | Shared Parental Leave | Use of Social Media | Violence at work | Whistleblowing

The above list is not exhaustive. Should you need a specific policy or guide, contact Andrew.

Line Management

Did you know that the Learning Network deliver line management training for anybody who line manages an employee in the Methodist Church? Click here to learn more and to see the next scheduled training session.

Further line manager support is available through a Line Manager Handbook (updated 2023).

Lay Employee Drop-In Sessions

In the coming months Andrew will host a range of drop-in sessions for lay employees, line managers, and members of lay employee support/management groups. Conversations will be held on a 1-1 in confidence basis offering a safe and supportive environment. For session dates and times, and to reserve a time – 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 Lay Employment Advisor.

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