To encourage employee development, the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois offers a professional development reimbursement to eligible employees who attend job-related professional development seminars or conferences approved by the pastor. Employees are restricted to attending a certain number of professional development seminars or conferences per fiscal year in line with the budget parameters of the employee’s office budget. Employees must obtain approval before registering to attend a job-related professional development seminar or conference.

Regular full-time and regular part-time employees completing a minimum of six (6) months of employment are eligible to participate in professional development opportunities.

In most cases, the reasonable costs associated with registration for the professional development seminar or conference is paid by the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois or reimbursed to the employee upon presentation of the proper receipt(s) for the expense incurred. The Diocese of Springfield in Illinois may reimburse some or all the fees associated, including material expenses, meals, transportation, etc. For more information regarding reimbursement of travel expenses please refer to the Travel Expense Policy in the Wage and Hour Policy Section of this Handbook.

Non-exempt employees attending job-related seminars or conferences will be paid for hours spent in attendance at the seminar or conference.