Churches and religious institutions, a reminder: your ministers
may also be employees in the eyes of the law.
Recently, a former associate pastor, Solomon Woldeyohannes,
commenced unfair dismissal proceedings against the Zion Church in
Melbourne Australia Inc (Church).1
Mr Woldeyohannes allegedly disrupted a service with aggressive
ranting and cursing, in an uncontrolled state, wearing a suit that
appeared shredded, frightening some parishioners. After giving him
two weeks to repent and present himself without any preconditions,
the Church released the minister from his role.
While the Commission is yet to consider whether the dismissal
was unfair, the associate pastor has won the first argument: he has
proved he was an employee.
