Sexual harrassment in churches

Although most churches, because of their limited size and number of employees, are exempt from many state and federal employment laws, employment policies and practices present additional areas of potential legal exposure for churches. As an ethical matter, churches will want to honor many of these federal and state mandates even though not required to do so by law. Bloss, J. Most churches are not subject to Title VII, which applies only to employers with fifteen or more employees and engaged in an industry affecting interstate commerce.

Lagos, Nigeria — On a drizzling Sunday morning, Nelo Monago, a year-old entrepreneur missed church service to join a pack of young Nigerians angered by a series of rape allegations levied against Biodun Fatoyinbo, a popular Nigeria pastor. The response to the news was quick and wild. They spilled across both sides of a major road reducing traffic almost to a snarl. To avoid protesters from gaining entrance into the church, COZA beckoned on the Nigerian police who gated the church entrance, a common strategy mostly deployed by authorities to intimidate protesters in Nigeria.

So how is the work atmosphere at your church? Is it pleasant, bursting at the seams with collegiality? Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of prohibits sexual harassment in every workplace with at least 15 or more employees. Second, learning how to prevent sexual harassment from occurring at your church may go a long way towards avoiding a work environment for your church staff where poor employee morale and low productivity exists.

As church leaders, we strive to create healthy work environments that encourage and motivate employees. Sometimes these behaviors are intentional, but often behaviors are unintentional — yet still concerning. It is difficult to turn on the news without reading about a new sexual harassment or assault allegation.