Imagine an environment where safety and well-being are prioritized, where trust and transparency are key, and conflicts are handled in a constructive manner. These are the ingredients of psychological safety. Psychological safety refers to a work environment where individuals feel comfortable taking risks, expressing their thoughts, and making mistakes without fear of punishment or humiliation.  Psychosocial hazards are broader and pertain to all aspects of work design, organisational structures, and social dynamics that can lead to psychological or physical harm. This could include things like excessive workload, lack of role clarity, workplace bullying, and poor organisational culture.

They are separate and intertwined.   Katharine Moore, an expert in workplace safety and health, joins me on the podcast to unwrap this very topic, based on findings from my clergy well-being and leadership survey.

From my survey, the following experiences of offensive behaviour experienced by clergy over the past 12 months were reported:

·      Sexual harassment: 6%

·      Threats of and actual violence: 8%

·      Bullying: 31%

·      Unpleasant teasing: 27%

·      Conflicts and quarrels: 78%

·      Gossip and slander: 53%

Clergy burnout was found to be related to the level of offensive behaviours experienced by clergy.

Through our discussion, we tackle the physical and psychological burdens of various job roles, the crucial role of job design and task rotation, and the complexities of budgets, governance, and compliance.


Katharine has built a strong reputation for her excellence in Safety and Injury Management.  She believes in engaging & empowering workers to build a proactive safety culture in the workplace which will lead to greater levels of overall compliance.

She works at a Senior Leadership level in a multi-national corporate where she influences business decisions  to create a workplace that is:

• Safe from physical and psychological harm
• Promotes whole-person wellbeing
• Fully accessible & inclusive
• Empowers team to meet their full potential

Our conversation delves  into the heart of church conflict and consider how a lack of transparency may foster an environment ripe for bullying. By exploring the difference between psychosocial and psychological safety, we illuminate how churches can work alongside partner practices to foster a secure environment where team members feel safe providing feedback.



Download my research report and reflections

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Podcast Disclaimer:

Please be aware that the opinions and viewpoints shared on this podcast are personal to me and do not represent the stance of any institution. The research discussed is based on an assignment completed for my Masters in Leadership and has not undergone peer review. This podcast aims to present findings for open discussion and dialogue, inviting listeners to engage critically and draw their own conclusions. While the content serves informational purposes, it is not a substitute for professional advice. Thank you for joining me on this journey of exploration and conversation!