F11
The Diocese’s policies on parental leave and sick leave for clergy are as follows:
- Maternity leave is given in accordance with the Central Stipends Authority Guidelines which provide that clergy and licensed layworkers, who have completed at least one year’s service and intend to return to work, should be paid maternity or adoption leave of full pay for 39 weeks. A further 26 weeks unpaid maternity leave may be taken thereafter.
- Paternity leave of 2 weeks on full stipend is also provided for within the policy. In these cases, the parish may have to meet the cost of providing cover for services and pastoral care even though, under the Parish Share scheme they are expected to meet the stipend contribution in full. This includes the stipend itself, National Insurance and pension contributions, less a share of diocesan income from investments, glebe and fees. During a vacancy the contribution falls to 80% for the first nine months and 40% thereafter. However the current scheme makes no allowance for a parish with a priest who is on extended leave, such as maternity leave or long term sick leave. There are relatively few cases of extended leave and it has been suggested that parishes affected in this way should receive assistance where they have to meet additional costs so that in these exceptional cases the costs are shared by all parishes.
By minute 8 of the meeting of the Board of Finance held on 22nd May 2007 it was agreed that:
- From the beginning of maternity leave or after one month’s sick leave, the parish will be entitled to recover up to 20% of the stipend contribution (ie no more than the allowance made during a vacancy)
- This provision specifically excludes any recovery of costs during sabbatical leave
- Any amounts should be claimed on a quarterly basis, by a letter to the Financial Secretary stating x number of services plus expenses of £y at the rates in force, and will be reimbursed by cheque
