by Mary Beth Barry
One of the significant challenges confronting Catholic institutions involves their ability to choose employees in accordance with religious criteria. Every decision made by a Catholic institution must align with its distinctive religious nature in order to benefit from full protection under religious protections.
Your job postings are no exception. A job posting for a Catholic employer serves a much broader purpose beyond attracting candidates and providing essential job information and skill requirements. It also plays a crucial role in allowing the organization to explicitly communicate its Catholic values, mission, and identity ensuring that candidates clearly see that who they are and what they do is motivated by the love of God.
Matthew 5:16 states, “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” This scripture emphasizes the importance of openly displaying one’s faith and values to others. By incorporating language and requirements that reflect Catholic values, the job posting attracts candidates who share the same beliefs and are interested in contributing to the organization’s mission.
Maximize your institution’s religious freedom protections.
Recent legal rulings emphasize the importance of articulating clear statements aligned with Catholic teaching across organizing documents, policies, and communications, serving as a safeguard against pressures to conform to secular norms. By clearly expressing their religious identity in job postings, Catholic institutions illustrate to the courts how Church teachings shape all aspects of their practices. To fully exercise their faith, Catholic employers must thoughtfully communicate their religious identity and beliefs to all, including the courts. This holds true whether you are a Church seeking candidates with explicit Catholic beliefs or a privately owned Catholic company searching for individuals who will embody your values.
Other valuable benefits to job posts that reflect your Catholic values:
- Attract the Right Candidates: Attracts candidates with the necessary skills and qualifications for the position but also those who align with your Catholic values.
- Save Time and Resources: Filter out candidates who are not aligned with your mission, saving valuable time and resources for both the employer and applicants.
- Establish Clear Expectations: Enhances transparency and reduces the likelihood of mismatches between employer needs and candidate expectations.
- Strengthen Organizational Standing-Accurate postings reflect honesty and transparency.
- Improve Candidate Experience: Create a positive candidate experience, aiding informed decisions to apply and set the foundation for a positive onboarding experience if hired.
- Reduce Turnover: Clear job expectations decrease the likelihood of mismatched hires, fostering higher job satisfaction and potentially reducing turnover rates.
Straightforward methods to integrate your Catholic identity.
- Reference the language that you already incorporated into your job descriptions. For more information on how to incorporate Catholic identity into your job description please read last month’s blog here: https://catholicbenefitsassociation.org/job-descriptions-the-cornerstone-of-hr-processes/
- Explicitly state your mission and purpose in the job posting.
- Communicate your values and mission prominently at the beginning and end of the posting.
- Clearly outline expectations concerning candidates’ representation of the religious character of the organization.
- Specify their role in participating in the religious culture, expressing their faith to clients, and maintaining a positive attitude toward the Catholic Church, its teachings, and its work.
- Provide prospective employees with a comprehensive understanding of your organization’s religious history, values, and expectations.
- Highlight and clearly articulate any job-specific requirements or preferences related to faith.
- Call attention to specific Catholic values you expect from your employees, such as humility, simplicity, trust, valuing human dignity, and compassion.
Explore posting alternatives that go beyond secular job sites such as:
- Parish Bulletins and Announcements
- Utilize Catholic-specific job boards and websites
- Catholic Schools and Universities
- Diocesan Websites and Networks
- Catholic Conferences and Events
- Social Media Groups
- Local Catholic Media Outlets
- Advertising in local Catholic newspapers, magazines, or radio stations
- Collaborating with Catholic Organizations
- Networking at Mass and Church Events
- Alumni Associations
- · Utilizing Catholic Professional Networks
- Mission Focused Recruiting Firms such as Mission Advantage Recruiting or Sól Recruiting, Coaching and Consulting
- Word of Mouth: Encourage current employees and community members to spread the word.
By utilizing these diverse channels and networks, you can broadly expand your reach and connect with individuals who share a strong alignment with the values and mission of your Catholic organization.
By aligning your job postings with your Catholic values, you not only attract candidates with the right skills but also those who resonate with your organization’s mission. By incorporating Catholic identity transparently and utilizing alternative posting avenues, you broaden your reach and connect with individuals who share a strong alignment with your Catholic organization’s values and mission.
Consider, in this essential endeavor, you’re not only building a skilled workforce but fostering a cohesive, purpose-driven environment that embodies the principles of your faith. For additional guidance and insights, refer to our previous blog on Mission Aligned job postings: https://catholicbenefitsassociation.org/mission-aligned-job-postings/ .
Remember, it’s crucial that potential hires align with the organization’s mission and values. By incorporating your Catholic identity into job postings, Catholic employers can ensure that they attract candidates who not only possess the necessary qualifications but also align with the organization’s religious values. The Catechism emphasizes the dignity of work and the call for all Christians to integrate their faith into their daily lives, including their professional endeavors. CCC 2427 states, “Human work proceeds directly from persons created in the image of God and called to prolong the work of creation by subduing the earth, both with and for one another.” By incorporating Catholic identity into job postings, Catholic employers create an environment where employees can live out their faith and contribute to the mission of the Church through their work.
CBA is here to help.
For help with defining faith requirements, suggested posting protocols or more, please visit our Members Only Room at https://www.cbamembersonlyroom.org/Human-Resources
We can review your job postings or other HR documents and offer recommendations on where and how to strengthen your Catholic identity. Please email me at marybeth@catholicbenefitsassociation.org for more information.