During April 2010, the Office for Employment Relations, in partnership with Catholic Church Insurances and the National Committee for Professional Standards, delivered the a pilot of the “Safe Parishes” program to the Diocese of Ballarat. The “Safe Parishes” program aims to provide practical guidance to parishes in addressing both physical and non-physical risks.

Sue O’Connor, Director of The Office for Employment Relations said ‘this is a presentation of practical information, guidelines and forms to assist parishes with an easy-to-use system that reduces the angst experienced by many parishes when dealing with employment issues, volunteers, documentation and changing legislative requirements. It is designed to simplify an area that many people find complex and confusing.’

Over 120 people attended the sessions including priests, business managers, parish council members and parish secretaries. One participant expressed a thought shared by many on these issues ‘we don’t know what we don’t know’. Sue commented that ‘the response and feedback has been extremely positive and reflects a definite need for these types of workshops for parishes’.

Help is available to assist you to protect your parish. In terms of employment, it is important to:

• Ensure you understand which legislation (Federal or State) currently applies to your workplace and familiarise yourself with the effective dates of any new legislation.
• Determine which awards apply to your employees and inform your employees of which award and classification relates to their role.
• Familiarise yourself with the provisions of the National Employment Standards (where applicable).
• Ensure that each of your employees has a letter of offer and use the same templates each time to ensure consistency.
• Make sure you keep time and wage records and provide your employees with payslips.
• Ensure that your employees are paid at least the minimum rates provided by the awards.
• Ensure that award-free employees are paid at least the applicable minimum wage and the pay is fair and equitable for the type of work being performed.
• Keep up-to-date with annual pay increases.

To assist you with a wide range of employment matters the Office provides a free electronic newsletter on major issues. Subscribe to this free service via the website www.employmentrelations.catholic.org.au . CCER provides assistance to NSW/ACT employers.

For more information contact Sue O’Connor at the Office for Employment Relations. Phone 03 9934 3355