Employee Matters

Churches must deal with employee matters across a wide range of different types of employees, including ministerial, clerical, custodial, musical, teachers and nursery workers and aides, landscaping and maintenance…the list goes on. At Church Legal Center in St. Petersburg, we provide nearly three decades of business and employment law experience to help churches in the Tampa Bay region and throughout Florida with the full range of employment law and personnel issues that arise.

Church Legal Center helps churches, ministries and charities with all of the following employment matters, among others:

• Hiring Employees
  • Analysis on Employee versus Independent Contractor
  • Independent Contractor Agreements
  • Employment Agreements
  • Employment of clergy – The Board’s employment of a minister is the single most important employment agreement the church will enter into. There are many ways in which compensation may be addressed, and a great many details regarding duties and responsibilities that may need to be spelled out. Contracts with clergy are in many ways like no other employment agreement and should be undertaken with the help of an experienced church law attorney.
  • Covenant not to Compete Agreements
• Office Management – Church Legal Center assists in the employment process for office personnel and other staff, including applications and interviews, hiring, employment agreements, personnel policies and job descriptions, and termination.
• Embezzlement – Unfortunately persons with access to an organization’s financial accounts may take advantage of this position of trust to embezzle funds from their employer, sometimes only once and other times continually over a period of years. The comprehensive legal assistance provided by Church Legal Center brings us to the intersection of employee matters and church finance issues. We help recover the amount lost through a restitution agreement and walk the church through related personnel and financial matters. We can also assist you with pursuing prosecution of the employee.
• Negligence of employees or volunteers – Whether the church may be held liable for the acts or omissions of its employees or volunteers depends upon a number of factors unique to the particular situation. We take a proactive approach to reduce liability exposure through employment contracts and supervisor training. If the church is sued, we work closely with insurance company appointed counsel to make sure the interests of the church are represented and protected.
• Conflict of Interest Documentation
• Sexual Harassment Compliance
• Sexual Molestation – Perhaps nothing hits a congregation harder than allegations of inappropriate contact by clergy, teachers, or other church staff. You need a knowledgeable, effective attorney who can advise and assist you on the proper steps to take with sensitivity and compassion.
• Termination of Employees
  • Separation Agreements

Help with Employee Matters from an Experienced Florida Church Law Attorney

For assistance with any employee matter in your church in Tampa Bay or throughout Florida statewide, contact Church Legal Center in St. Petersburg at 727-410-7215.