For the first time in its 475-year history the Church of England is looking to create an HR department.
The Review of Clergy Terms of Service will be debated at General Synod in London on Tuesday 15th February and if passed will give new rights to 11,500 clergy.
Eighteen posts will be hired to head up the HR department at a cost of £800,000.
Bishops will have a responsibility to ensure that HR advice is obtained and followed.
Policy will be set at national level to implement consistency across dioceses with appropriate flexibility given for diocesan discretion.
The proposals also recommend that future appointments will be made on a new basis, common tenure.
This will involve:
- Access to Employment Tribunals
- Posts being open-ended until retirement age (and only in certain circumstances, such as designated training posts, for a fixed term);
- Being subject to a capability procedure to be used in cases where clergy are failing to perform to a minimum standard;
- Being subject to Clergy Terms of Service Regulations, which will set out the rights and responsibilities of clergy.
Traditionally, the clergy have been exempt from employment rights because members were deemed to be office holders, not employees, and as such were working for God, rather than an earthly organisation.
