Church@Home is a central repository for resources to help us keep faith alive at home, connect with our community, and stay safe, during this time of physical isolation. New resources are being added here all the time. Click here or on the above image to go to the Church@Home landing page, or click on the blue links below to go directly to those resources.
Church Worker Support
It’s tough keeping up to date with everything with so much changing so rapidly right now. We’ve curated a small collection of resources (that we’ll add to as time goes on) that might be helpful as you navigate your way through the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Workplace health and safety
Working from home
With more and more of us being encouraged or directed to work from home, it is important that our home office is safe and free of risks to our health.
Here are some downloadable resources to assist you in setting up a home office space where you can work efficiently and safely:
- Ergonomic set up of workstation
- Working from home checklist
- Working from home without going stir crazy
General
Australia and New Zealand have strong workplace health and safety legislation and regulations.
In Australia, while the legislation is harmonised, there are state-based variations. Visit the Safe Work Australia website and follow the links to your respective state or territory. You can click on the state you are in and this will take you the relevant workplace health and safety legislative requirement for that state.
The New Zealand Government WorkSafe website will also be helpful – now and moving forward.
Employee Assistance Program
Remember, if you are on the Roll of Pastors (currently on active service), on the Roll of Lay Workers, or an employee paid through the LCA HRS, you can access the LCA’s Employee Assistance Program. You would have received an email about this. Here’s a reminder:
Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) provide short-term, solutions-oriented counselling and coaching which may support you in meeting the challenges and demands of your work and personal life. Of course, you may have access to other supports (including pastoral care and support) and the EAP is not intended to replace those but it may be a useful addition.
To learn more please check out the short videos below.
Employment matters and resources
There is great uncertainty in workplaces at the moment. The Australian Government is introducing stimulus packages just about every day it seems. Keep up to date by visiting the business.gov.au special COVID-19 website.
It is important to remember that employment legislation is still in place and there are particular requirements and significant differences between standing down employees, making positions redundant and directing people to take leave. Please visit the Fair Work Ombudsman website for all the most up-to-date information. This page, too, is changing every day.
If you are working from home, you could consider claiming a tax deduction to cover some of your costs from setting up a work space at home. The ATO has some varied the requirements in relation to working from home in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. You can read the press release and more detailed information here.
Wellbeing resources
Right now it’s really important to look after your own wellbeing. It’s a stressful time for everyone, and to be in a position to minister and serve others, you need to be in a good place emotionally yourself.
Refer to the Health & Wellbeing@Home webpage for more information.
Church Worker Support
churchworkersupport@lca.org.au
08 8267 7300
