6 June 2024
Melbourne Anglicans have the chance to share their opinion on pay cycles and clergy working conditions in the diocese.
It comes after Melbourne Synod approved a review of the clergy working hours in October 2023.
The Clergy Remuneration and Working Conditions Committee has invited any interested stakeholders to make submissions, including synod members, affected clergy and lay persons, and churchwardens.
Read more: Healthier clergy, families, churches because of five-day working week – Leaders
The submissions will inform the committee as it prepares recommendations about future clergy remuneration and working conditions for Archbishop in Council, due in August.
Submissions can relate to any changes to clergy working conditions, adjustment of clergy stipends an allowances, and two options for changing the pay cycle for clergy.
The Diocesan corporation is currently considering changing the pay cycle to a mid-monthly or fortnightly pay cycle. It currently pays clergy and employees monthly in advance.
Under a mid-month pay cycle, the pay day would change to the 15th of each month, with two weeks in arrears, two weeks in advance. Under a fortnightly pay cycle, pay would be processed fortnightly for the previous two weeks.
Read more: ‘Review case for five-day week for clergy’: Synod motion
After synod approved a review of clergy working hours, the Clergy Remuneration and Working Conditions Committee surveyed Melbourne diocese clergy about their views on current working conditions.
Respondents ranked the change they would most like to see in current clergy working conditions as being reducing the working week from 6 days to 5 days. An increased annual leave benefit from four weeks to five weeks was the second most desired change.
Thirty-eight per cent of respondents supported an adjustment of clergy stipends and allowances in line with the consumer price index.
Submissions must be made by the end of Sunday 16 June using SurveyMonkey.
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