Angela Ishmael was formerly Director of the Dignity at Work Community at The Work Foundation (formerly The Industrial Society), where she was responsible for creating and leading their Diversity and Dignity at Work Campaign. Angela created the vision for the campaign, which focused on providing a holistic approach to dealing with many issues such as: race relations, gender equality, disability awareness, human rights, cultural diversity, ageism, work-life balance, and the working environment.
Angela facilitates key client projects focusing on outputs that progress the ethos of Diversity and Dignity at Work, for example, conducting coaching for senior and board level clients, which enables them to lead and sponsor dignity at work initiatives within their organisations. She has written in-house publications for voluntary, private and public sector clients on issues such as cultural diversity, harassment and bullying, managing diversity and recruitment and selection.
Currently, Angela writes, broadcasts and gives presentations on Diversity issues to a wide range of audiences. Her publications include Harassment, Bullying and Violence at Work: a practical guide to combating employee abuse (SPIRO Press, April 1999).
Angela was also part of the production team that produced the award winning films No Excuse: Beat Bullying at work” (April 1999) and Get the Balance Right (October 2001). She was also a member of the Editorial Board for the IRS Publication Managing Diversity in the Workplace. Forthcoming publications include No Fear! Standing up to harassment and bullying at work and Thinking Heart, Feeling Mind: 10 business lessons from the compassionate workplace”. She plans to produce further publications on the issue of Diversity and Leadership. Her speaking engagements include giving evidence at a select committee in support of the Dignity at Work Bill at the House of Lords, May 2002.
Angela supports and advises local communities in her role as a Trustee/Board Member of organisations such as Newham Training and Education Centre (NEWTEC), Communities that Care (CtC) UK, and The Andrea Adams Trust. She serves on the Advisory Board of the London Metropolitan University’s Working Life Research Institute and The Football Association’s Equality and Diversity Advisory Committee. She was also a member of the ESRC’s Growing Older Programme Advisory Committee and was a member of The Advisory Committee for “Women on Board” (a campaign to improve representation of Women on the Boards of FTSE 100 Companies).
Angela is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.