An Overview of the CARES Act for Churches Key highlights from the government’s $2.2 trillion stimulus plan responding to COVID-19. Richard R. Hammar
Are Church Employees Eligible for Unemployment Benefits? Sorting through a complex area of law as churches weigh difficult financial decisions. Matthew Branaugh
Employment Dispute Ruling Reinforces Church Decisions about Hiring and Firing Seventh Circuit: Churches, not courts, should determine ministerial nature of roles. Erik Stanley
Church’s Director of Music Was a “Minister” for Purposes of the Ministerial Exception Court could not resolve director of music's discrimination lawsuit against the church following his demotion. Richard R. Hammar
Churches May Fire an Employee for Violating Moral Standards If Done Consistently The dismissal of an employee for violating a church’s moral teachings may expose a church to liability. Richard R. Hammar
Court Dismisses Pregnancy-Related Lawsuit Brought Against Church Judge says the facts of the case demonstrate firing was based on religious doctrine. Matthew Branaugh
The New Overtime Rule Proposal: What Churches Should Note Editor’s note: On September 24, 2019, the US Department of Labor announced the final version
Requirements for Hiring Foreign Nationals at Your Church From eligibility to site visits to records, recent headlines reiterate the need for compliance Richard R. Hammar, Gerald Cipolla, and Lina Yen Hughes
What to Include in a Severance Package Determine what to include in a severance package by establishing your budget and reviewing the
When the Church Office Closes for Bad Weather, Does Everyone Get Paid? The legal—and logical—considerations regarding how to handle an office closure. Sally Wagenmaker
What You Need in an Employment Practices Liability Insurance Policy Twelve considerations when purchasing or reviewing this type of insurance policy. Richard R. Hammar
Course of Employment Key point 10-02.03. Churches can be legally responsible on the basis of the respondeat superior
Inapplicability to Nonprofit Organizations Key point 10-02.04. The fundamental policy supporting the doctrine of respondeat superior is “risk allocation.”
Court Decisions Recognizing Negligent Selection Claims Key point 10-04.01. Some courts have found churches liable on the basis of negligent selection
Court Decisions Rejecting Negligent Selection Claims Key point 10-04.02. Some courts have found churches not liable on the basis of negligent
Risk Management Key point 10-04.03. Churches can reduce the risk of liability based on negligent selection for
The Relevance of Sexual Orientation in Selecting Youth or Children’s Workers Key point 10-04.04. The courts have generally ruled, in recent years, that homosexuals are no
Court Decisions Recognizing Negligent Selection Claims Key point 10-05.01. Some courts have found churches liable on the basis of negligent selection
Court Decisions Rejecting Negligent Selection Claims Key point 10-05.02. Some courts have found churches not liable on the basis of negligent