* FINAL VERSION - Concurred, No Funding

Resolution A125

Title:   Employment Policies and Practices Task Force

Topic:   Employee Benefits

Committee:   Church Pension Fund

House of Initial Action:   Bishops

Proposer:   Executive Council

Resolved, That the 75th General Convention of the Episcopal Church continue the Task Force to Study Employment Policies and Practices in the Episcopal Church during the coming triennium with the intention of offering a resolution to the 2009 General Convention that will address the issues of employment, striving to make the Episcopal Church a fair and just workplace; and be it further
Resolved, That the Convention authorize and request the Church Pension Group to conduct a survey of lay employees concentrating on employee demographics, the exercise of authority in the employment setting, and compensation and benefits. The Bishop or other ecclesiastical authority of each diocese shall be requested to supply relevant data for each employing unit in the diocese to the Church Pension Group. The findings of the survey and any recommendations for action, if appropriate, shall be reported to the 76th General Convention; and be it further
Resolved, That the Office of Ministry Development take the lead in determining the best way to conduct a feasibility study examining whether pension benefits for lay employees should be made compulsory and be administered by a single provider. The results of said study shall be reported, along with recommendations for action, if appropriate, to the 76th General Convention; and be it further
Resolved, That the attached statement on Workplace Values be commended to the Church as a worthy statement reflecting our values for work and the worker in the Church; and be it further
Resolved, That the General Convention request the Joint Standing Committee on Program, Budget and Finance to consider a budget allocation of $15,000 for the implementation of this resolution.


EXPLANATION

The Task Force on Employment Policies and Practices was established by GC Resolution 2003-A006. In consultation with the Church Pension Group the Task Force has begun a comprehensive examination of the employment practices of the parishes, dioceses, and church-related agencies of the Episcopal Church. This resolution proposes a continuation of that work. The Report of the Task Force on Employment Policies and Practices in the Episcopal Church to the Executive Council offers more information and is available on the website (www.episcopalchurch.org/gc2006/). In addition, The Church Pension Group's Guide to Human Resources Practices for Lay Employees in the Episcopal Church is an invaluable document and should be a staple for every church, diocesan and church-affiliated workplace (www.churchpublishing.org).


* The final language, as well as the final status of each resolution, is being reviewed by the General Convention office. The Journal of the 75th General Convention and the Constitution and Canons will be published once the review process has been completed.