Background Checks are an important part of our safety protocols in Genesis. They are required for all local church and Conference staff, all candidates for ordination, and any volunteer who will be working with children.
The process begins with your church or the Conference submitting a request on your behalf. Once the check is requested, you'll receive an email with the instructions that are linked below. The organization who requested the background check will pay for the cost of the inquiry and report.
When a staff member of a church becomes unemployed through no fault of their own, they may wish to seek unemployment financial assistance through the state. However, churches in New York State and Pennsylvania are not required to carry unemployment insurance for their ministry staff, rendering them ineligible to file a claim or receive benefits.
Types of employees excluded from mandatory unemployment insurance, unless the employer has chosen voluntary coverage for them:
Types of employees excluded from mandatory unemployment insurance when they work for non-profit organizations:
New York State Unemployment Exclusions
Pennsylvania Unemployment Exclusions
If an employee is fired for misconduct or a criminal act, they may not use any wages paid to them from that employment to establish a claim. This denial of benefits includes if a person was fired due to violating a company policy, rule or procedure, such as absenteeism or insubordination.
If an employee voluntarily leaves their employment without what the state believes to be "good cause," any claim for unemployment assistance is likely to be denied. It is up to the employee to provide proof that their reasoning for both leaving the job and applying for unemployment is legitimate.