Employment

If you have employees who may be ministers, you need to take practical steps to define their role. Here are some suggestions on how to clarify who is a minister.

If your ministry asks potential volunteers or employees about any criminal record, do you need to throw out your application and start anew in light your state’s “ban the box” law? This post addresses how religious employers should be aware of “ban the box” laws and the changing legal landscape of considering criminal history in hiring.

Defamation claims against religious organizations are more common than you would think. It’s almost impossible to challenge who a religious organization selects as a minister or how it disciplines that minister. So these claims focus on the idea that what was said about the minister is defamatory—something that is not directly controlled by constitutional law. Here is a recent example of a case that ultimately had an indirect constitutional defense.

A multi-chapter resource by Theresa Lynn Sidebotham, Esq. and Dr. Brent Lindquist about thoughts and strategies a mission agency might consider as they begin to develop, provide, or determine if they can provide accommodations.

A multi-chapter resource by Theresa Lynn Sidebotham, Esq. and Dr. Brent Lindquist about ministerial exception and missions.

Recently, a court has allowed to go forward most of a case against the Roman Catholic Archbishop of San Francisco. The case alleges that the school did not investigate, refused to apply the ministerial exception defense, and did not find any formal religious decision-making process. What lessons can be learned here?

A multi-chapter resource by Theresa Lynn Sidebotham, Esq. and Dr. Brent Lindquist about assessment, overseas behavior and treatment, and contexts where you find cross-cultural and organizational cultural issues.

A multi-chapter resource by Theresa Lynn Sidebotham, Esq. and Dr. Brent Lindquist about restoration following abuse and trauma.

Requiring an employee to undergo psychological counseling may violate Americans with Disabilities Act. The Sixth Circuit just issued another opinion. It was not too happy with Kroll’s employer. How can you demonstrate that counseling is “job-related and consistent with business necessity”?

A multi-chapter resource about how requiring employees to get mental health counseling is likely a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (except in certain narrow circumstances), and how religious organizations should consider what circumstances apply and be prepared.