February 10, 2016
If you compensate your full-time church staff on a salary or hourly basis, you should be aware of how those positions are defined by the Fair Labor Standards Act.
Exempt (which includes most salaried positions) employees fall under one of the following three categories:
Exempt employees' compensation is based on the type of work they perform rather than the number of hours they work.
It’s a common mistake to classify a worker as “exempt” in order to pay the position a salary, rather than an hourly wage. Be aware that a title alone—such as “administrative assistant”— does not make a worker an exempt employee. The employee must meet specific tests regarding job duties and salary amount to qualify. Most support staff and clerical workers do not meet the standard.
With limited exceptions, exempt employees' pay may not be reduced for partial-day absences.
Nonexempt (or hourly) employees are paid for the actual hours worked. Accurate records must be kept to ensure that proper compensation is given. While you can usually require a nonexempt employee to work overtime, you must pay time-and-a-half for any work done in excess of 40 hours in a seven-day week.
Overtime must be paid as “pay,” not as a promise of future time off. Employers may only offer time off if it's taken within the same week that the employee works more hours than scheduled on a given day. For example, if an employee works one hour more on Tuesday, the ministry can permit the employee to work one hour less on a remaining day of the same week to avoid overtime pay. Nonexempt employees cannot voluntarily work overtime without pay.
The ability to inspire others to give is a blessing. Because fundraising can be both exciting and challenging, there are some important details to consider that can help your donors, and organization, have a smooth and successful experience.
Has your church or school ever been asked to loan or rent one of your vans or buses to another ministry? Rather than running the risk of loaning or renting your own vehicle, you could consider aiding them financially in renting or chartering a vehicle from a rental agency.
Having insurance coverage specifically designed for long-term international missions helps protect your people and organization from the financial impact caused by injuries, lawsuits, property damage, and more.
For the second year, the Brotherhood Mutual Foundation is offering the Kingdom Advancing Grant to innovative Christian church programs that are transforming local communities through ministry.
With the holiday season right around the corner, it’s wise for ministries to evaluate their fire safety plan. Whether your ministry is hosting a holiday party, prepping treats for charity, or running a community kitchen, make sure you’re well-prepared with these tips.
As school is back in session, it’s important to make sure your school is equipped with the correct safety procedures. Thinking about your school’s physical security as a series of layers can help you find gaps in your plan. Transportation and volunteers are just two important aspects of your school safety plan to think about.
Anyone who turns on the news, flips through a magazine, or browses the web can see that American society and culture are experiencing rapid transitions. Some ministries have valid concerns that issues surrounding societal shifts may expose them to negative publicity, governmental scrutiny, or litigation.
Cyber security is increasingly crucial in our technologically advanced world. Scammers use many schemes when attempting to steal your data, but you can outsmart them by understanding their methods.
When conflict occurs in the church, it can threaten the unity of a congregation. Experts say the only way to heal conflict is to acknowledge and address it. But how?
Theft isn’t just an issue for banks and large companies. Sometimes the kind and caring nature of your ministry is exactly what makes you a target. Organizational Optional Theft Coverage helps to assure that, if a thief takes advantage of your institution, what’s lost can be restored.
Most ministry leaders don’t realize there is funding available to non-profit employers including churches, schools, colleges, and camps. This post includes some highlights about the credit and guidance on where to start to see if your ministry is eligible.
The Atlantic hurricane season officially started June 1, and weather experts say this season is likely to produce above-normal activity. Take action to prepare your ministry to withstand a hurricane now, so you’re not scrambling when a watch or warning is posted.
As finances move more and more into the digital world, online giving has emerged as a convenient option for accepting donations. Just as ministries protect the tithes they receive in the offering plate on Sunday mornings, they should take care to protect online gifts and donors.
While we can’t change the weather in Texas, there are things your ministry can do to help lessen the damage hail leaves behind. Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Company offers some things to consider.
When severe storms strike, they can produce high winds and tornadoes. Damaging winds can wreak havoc on your ministry’s property and to buildings. A high wind event can crash debris through your windows, strip your siding, down trees on your parking lot, peel shingles off your roof, and fling back the flashing.
Thieves are taking advantage of soaring precious metal prices. Take steps to protect your ministry’s vehicles and property.
As temperatures plummet, the risk of freezing pipes soars. Frozen pipes can cause costly messes that could also put your ministry on hold while you clean up.
Preparing for this Christmas season may require additional creativity, due to the uncertainty of what COVID-19 may bring in our local community.
A mid-November deadline in the Boy Scouts of America’s (BSA) bankruptcy proceedings may have you wondering what the organization’s bankruptcy filing means for your ministry if you ever hosted or chartered Boy Scout Troops.