Wausau news for the week of July 10, 2025
Regarding Bridge Street Missions hiring practices: The state is prevented from enforcing discrimination laws against religious associations when the employment at issue serves a ministerial or ecclesiastical function. While it must be given considerable weight, a religious association's designation of a position as ministerial or ecclesiastical does not control its status. Jocz v. LIRC, 196 Wis. 2d 273, 538 N.W.2d 588 (Ct. App. 1995), 93-3042. And regarding churches and faith organizations: https://www.churchlawandtax.com/pastor-church-law/employment-law/discrimination-under-state-laws/discrimination-based-on-sexual-orientation/. And as early as 2022: https://ministrywatch.com/wisconsin-appeals-court-upholds-churchs-right-to-require-employees-to-follow-its-beliefs/#:~:text=Church%20Politics-,Wisconsin%20Appeals%20Court%20Upholds%20Church's%20Right%20to%20Require%20Employees%20to,abide%20by%20its%20core%20beliefs. I bet they also require employees to abstain from substance abuse as well?
Regarding Bridge Street Missions hiring practices: The state is prevented from enforcing discrimination laws against religious associations when the employment at issue serves a ministerial or ecclesiastical function. While it must be given considerable weight, a religious association's designation of a position as ministerial or ecclesiastical does not control its status. Jocz v. LIRC, 196 Wis. 2d 273, 538 N.W.2d 588 (Ct. App. 1995), 93-3042. And regarding churches and faith organizations: https://www.churchlawandtax.com/pastor-church-law/employment-law/discrimination-under-state-laws/discrimination-based-on-sexual-orientation/. And as early as 2022: https://ministrywatch.com/wisconsin-appeals-court-upholds-churchs-right-to-require-employees-to-follow-its-beliefs/#:~:text=Church%20Politics-,Wisconsin%20Appeals%20Court%20Upholds%20Church's%20Right%20to%20Require%20Employees%20to,abide%20by%20its%20core%20beliefs. I bet they also require employees to abstain from substance abuse as well?