Church Employment System Best Practices

Guiding Principles
1. The Criticality of the Program A man out of work is of special moment to the Church because, deprived of his inheritance, he is on trial as Job was on trial for his integrity. As days lengthen into weeks and months and even years of adversity, the hurt grows deeper, and he is sorely tempted to curse god and die. Continued economic dependence breaks him; it humiliates him if he is strong, spoils him if he is weak. Sensitive or calloused, despondent or indifferent, rebellious or resigned either way, he is threatened with spiritual ruin for the dole is an evil and idleness a curse. He soon becomes the seedbed of discontent, wrong thinking, alien beliefs. The Church cannot hope to save a man on Sunday if during the week it is a complacent witness to the crucifixion of his soul Gordon B. Hinckley Pure Religion by Glen R. Rudd, pages 309-310 2. Priesthood Directed President Gordon B. Hinckley said, "I am satisfied, my brethren, that there is enough of expertise, of knowledge, of strength, of concern in every priesthood quorum to assist the troubled members of that quorum if these resources are properly administered" (Ensign, Nov. 1977, 85-86). Priesthood quorums and the Relief Society are to respond to the challenges faced by unemployed members. Leaders should involve the entire quorum in responding to the needs of individuals who are looking for work. ldsjobs.org

Candidate
The economic clouds that have long threatened the world are now fully upon us. . . . As companies continue to downsize or close, even ideal employees may find themselves needing to find new employment. This is an opportunity to rely on the Lord, to grow, and to be strengthened. . . . Express your gratitude in prayer for all that has been given to you. Heavenly Father loves you. His Son has promised, All these things shall give [you] experience, and shall be for [your] good (D&C 122:7). Robert D. Hales, A
Gospel Vision of Welfare: Faith in Action, in Basic Principles of Welfare and Self-Reliance (2009), 13.

Meet with Ward Employment Specialist and Priesthood leader for orientation and direction Build complete profile on ldsjobs.org Visit Employment Resource Center, enroll in appropriate classes Daily: o Pray for help and direction in finding /upgrading employment o Search ldsjobs.org and other job sites for job postings (early AM or evening) o Visit potential employers during the day o Expand network of people who might know of job openings Weekly o Discuss activities and progress with Ward Employment Specialist o Discuss activities and progress with Priesthood / Relief Society leader Other o Move Quickly Seek work and training immediately o Start working as soon as possible even if necessary in a different field at a lower salary

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Church Employment System Best Practices

Priesthood / Relief Society Leader
Leaders organize the quorums or Relief Society to address the employment needs. The resources that exist within the quorum are called on to meet the needs of the members. ldsjobs.org

Review resources and training on ldsjob.org. When first informed that there is a candidate, the priesthood leader should arrange a personal meeting with the candidate: o Understand fully the candidates situation o Clarify what role his home teachers can play in offering support. Are there confidentiality issues that the candidate wants respected? o Offer to provide a priesthood blessing if appropriate Discuss candidates situation with WES Arrange meeting with WES and candidate o Set Goals o Formulate plan to meet goals Weekly o Review candidates progress on ldsjobs.org, note contacts with candidates o Discuss candidates in Presidency Meeting, plan actions to help networking, etc. o Visit with candidate to encourage, help and discuss their activities and progress o Circulate job sheet in priesthood quorum / relief society meeting give new entries to Ward Employment Specialist Report and discuss candidates activities and progress in Ward Welfare Meeting Discuss candidates activities and progress with Ward Employment Specialist

High Councilor Assigned to Quorum

Attend Quorum Meetings and Presidency meetings as appropriate o Verify job sheet is being circulated. o Verify quorum presidency is discussing candidates activity and needs.

Bishop
Bishops oversee the efforts of quorum and Relief Society leaders as they assist members in becoming self-reliant. ldsjobs.org

Review resources and training on ldsjob.org. Care for candidates short-term needs Counsel candidate as appropriate Receive reports from priesthood / Relief Society leaders and Ward Employment Specialist in Ward Welfare meeting

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Church Employment System Best Practices

Ward Employment Specialist
Specialists are a tremendous resource to the bishop and the quorum and Relief Society leaders in assisting members with their employment needs. ldsjobs.org

Be an expert user and instructor of ldsjobs.org. Review training and resources of site Visit the Employment Resource Center for orientation of resources and services available Attend Stake Employment meetings Discuss candidates at Ward Welfare Meeting Working with Candidates: o Teach the use of ldsjobs.org, monitor candidates completion of profile o Direct candidate to Employment Resource Center for appropriate orientation and classes o Send job fair and job opening notices, etc. to candidates o Visit with candidates weekly to discuss activities and progress o Monitor adherence to plan and progress towards goals o counsel as appropriate o Suggest networking opportunities and contacts o Enter notes of contacts with candidates and their activity in ldsjobs.org

Stake Employment Specialist

Be an expert user and instructor of ldsjobs.org. Review training and resources of site Train Ward Employment Specialists on the use of ldsjob.org and their responsibilities Visit the Employment Resource Center for orientation of resources and services available Conduct Stake Employment meetings Discuss candidates at Stake Employment Meeting with Ward Employment Specialists Forward job fair and job opening notices, etc. to Ward Employment Specialists Attend Stake Employment Specialist training meetings at the Employment Resource Center Report progress and status of Stake employment program to responsible High Counselor

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