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Office Holder / Employee Status

Why retain the office holder status of clergy?
How will episcopal oversight operate for clergy in diocesan roles where they are subject to employment law and on employment contracts?

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1. Why retain the office holder status of clergy?

The review of clergy terms of service concluded that the ministry of the Church was best enabled through the retention of the officer holder status of clergy. Whilst there are benefits to the integration of the majority of employee rights into the life of the Church, the classification of parochial clergy as employees would entail too significant an alteration to the basis on which ministry is provided. The key feature of an employer/employee relationship is the ability of the employer to direct the work of the employee. The nature of the parochial ministry of the Church of England makes such a relationship impossible without a radical change in how clergy are deployed.

2. How will episcopal oversight operate for clergy in diocesan roles where they are subject to employment law and on employment contracts?

All those who are ordained and hold a licence to minister in a diocese have a relationship with, and accountability to, the diocesan bishop. Nothing in the terms of service regulations will alter this position. Nor will the new regulations prevent priests being employed by a diocese (or any other organisation) to undertake a job for which they are subject to a contract of employment. Just like many non-stipendiary ministers, these individuals will be both employed by the DBF and hold a licence to minister within a diocese through Common Tenure