Christian College Not Liable for Sexual Misconduct of Former Student Hired by a Church
Churches should be aware that states are divided on liability based on recommendations related to hiring.
References
Association Calls for Prevention Commitment by Churches
Resolution calls pastors and church leaders to adhere to high ethical standards and establish practices to prevent misconduct and address accusations appropriately.
Reference Letters
Key Point 8-24. A reference letter is a letter that evaluates the qualifications and suitability
Court May Rule on ‘Secular Contract’ Between Church and Former Employee
Church Law and Tax Report Court May Rule on ‘Secular Contract’ Between Church and Former
How Thorough Is Your Reference Check?
Check if these six key pieces are on your forms.
Mastering Reference Checks for Churches
Addressing 15 common questions to reduce ministry vulnerabilities.
What Churches Should Look for in a Background Check Service
Key questions leaders should ask before choosing a provider.
Employment Interviews
What you can and can't ask.
Reporting Sexual Misconduct to Future Employers
Churches are not generally required to warn future employers of an individual's sexual misconduct.
Employment Practices – Part 2
A Washington court ruled that a school was not liable on the basis of "negligent misrepresentation" for not disclosing in letters of recommendation that a former employee had been reprimanded for inappropriate behavior.
Liability for Giving Positive References
Churches can be held liable for recommending someone with a history of misconduct.
Employee Personnel Files
A Minnesota law requires certain employers to make copies of these files upon request.
Employee References and Defamation
Can an employer be sued for defamation over a negative reference?
Defamation and Employer References
Talk with an attorney before making potentially defamatory statements about former employees.
Duty to Warn Future Employers
Should a church disclose negative information about a former employee?
Invasion of Privacy
Can a church be sued for releasing information regarding the debts of a previous minister?
Case Demonstrates Legal Risks in Providing Negative References to Other Employers
An employee of a church-affiliated college was terminated for not returning a paycheck that had