Clergy

Coronavirus FAQ for Pastors

• Additional Resources
• When do employees file for unemployment?
• How do employees file for unemployment?
• Are employees in the Archdiocese of Detroit eligible for unemployment since we are self-insured? How will that work?
• Does the Coronavirus Aid Relief & Economic Security Act (CARES) apply to nonprofits and religious organization?
• What is the Work Share Program through the state of Michigan?
• Can an employee continue to receive insurance benefits while collecting unemployment?
• Can an employee file for unemployment while collecting paid time off such as sick or vacation time?
• What forms should be provided to the affect employee?
• The Coronavirus Aid, Response, and EconomicSecurity Act (CARES Act)
• May an employer require that the employee search for or find a replacement to cover the hours during which the employee is using paid sick leave?
• What about employers that already provide paid sick leave?
• When does paid sick leave cease?
• What is the total unemployment compensation that an employee can receive if completely laid off?
• Can employees who are laid off apply for unemployment?
• How much paid sick leave must be provided under the bill?
• What is the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act?
• Does paid sick leave carry over from one year to the next?
• How much pay must be provided during the leave?
• What is the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act?
• What may the new FMLA leave be used for?
• Under the bill, who is eligible for this new FMLA leave?
• What is the Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act?
• What should a pastor/administrator do if considering a temporary layoff in the parish office?
• What is the status of the Sent On Mission Fundraising effort?
• Can an employer require that employees who test positive for COVID-19 disclose confidentially the test results to the employer?
• Should I ask for a doctor's note for an employee returning from a quarantine period who otherwise reports being asymptomatic?
• Doesn’t making an exception for coronavirus set a precedent that opens the door for employees with other serious illnesses?
• Can I initiate a work from home policy if the parish office is closed?
• How can parishes receive AOD guidelines during the COVID-19 crisis and shutdowns?
• One of our employees has a suspected but unconfirmed case of COVID-19. What should we do?
• An employee has tested positive for COVID-19. What should we do?
• What if an employee appears sick?
• Will the Sent on Mission fundraising effort resume when the coronavirus pandemic is no longer a health threat?
• Is leave paid or unpaid?
• How much FMLA leave may an employee take under the Emergency FML Expansion Act?
• What employers are required to provide the new FMLA leave?
• Does the decision to temporarily close the parish campus during this crisis, (parish office, school, etc.), come from the AOD or can the pastor make that decision?
• Can a Coronavirus absence be counted for purposes of attendance? What if discipline would result?
• How can parishes receive AOD guidelines during the COVID-19 crisis and shutdowns?
• How should a parish handle event cancellations and payment of vendors/contractors?
• Can we mandate that employees wear masks? Are there any requirements we need to be aware of?
• Can an employee who is concerned about having COVID-19 and being asymptomatic refuse to come to work for fear of infecting others?
• Can an employee refuse to come to work because of fear of infection?
• What steps can we take now to minimize risk of transmission?
• One of our employees has been exposed to the virus but only found out after they had interacted with coworkers and parishioners. What should we do?
• One of our employees self-reported that she came into contact with someone who had a presumptive positive case of COVID-19. What should we do?
• Can I take an employee’s temperature at work to determine whether he might be infected?
• Can we ask an employee to stay home or leave work if he exhibits symptoms of the COVID-19 coronavirus or the flu?
• Who can I contact if I have questions about personnel issues during this time?
• What about the CCS fundraising team? Are they still working on Sent on Mission?
• Is it possible to process parish CSA refunds more frequently than once a quarter?
• Can parishioners continue to make weekly offertory contributions during this period of public mass suspensions?
• Who can I contact if I have a question about fundraising?
• Will the Missionary Strategic Plan Process continue?
• What about Parish Endowment Funds?
• If a parish/school does not have sufficient cash balances for the next month what should they do?
• Who should I contact if I have questions about parish finances during this time?
• Who should I contact if I have questions about offertory?
• What should a pastor/administrator do regarding financial conditions for their parish/school?

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