Quote Originally Posted by KiltedCodeWarrior
However, I actually am very happy with my current job and really don't want to turn it into a hostile workplace for me and my colleagues.

I am actually not going to present my 3 reasons to HR, I was actually going to do exactly what you proposed, which is communicate my intent to wear a kilt and request HR acceptance of the matter. The reasons are more in response to being questioned on why I want to wear a kilt, and I would be interested in why you feel that they do not hold water

RJI
It's very important to me that you don't have a hostile workplace. I certainly don't mean for my aggressive reaction to be your practice. It's the way I plan, always have a script. Diplomacy comes hard to me, planning a fight comes way to easy.

Background: I'm one of a team of union trained people who teach about the kind of questions you are asking. Right now this is on a weekly basis, it will be full time through October.

Sometimes, it is hard to anticipate the obstructions that management will put in your path. Far better to have them initiate, instead of you providing additional arguments. By the way, all this is on the assumption that there may be an issue. It may go very well but it's best to have a script.

So, why won't they hold water? I don't mean any disrespect here, I didn't have time to go over them before. (I'm realizing that I'm saying "you" a lot, please don't think of them as raindrops, that's a Scottish term for pointy stabbing motion with the index finger pointed at you.)

1. Part of my cultural heritage: recognize that I'm in Canada and our Human Rights laws are different. In any case, most models of Human Rights do not include "culture". You would not be able to demonstrate that your culture would condemn you for not wearing a kilt. You could not show universality of a kilt within your culture. You could probably not define your culture. If you went to "nationality", you would have a better chance but would still be stuck with the same questions. If you won on this, you would be limiting yourself to traditional tartan kilts, according to some authority you may not agree with.

2. More comfortable than trousers: this would be a "so what" to them and allow them to intrude into your present fashion style. They could ask personal health questions since you've opened the door. They could recommend different material, cut, colour and believe that they've solved the problem. You would then be considered uncooperative and have an agenda (which you do, but they've now twisted it to be a bad thing.) How much of a working knowledge do have of textiles and design to challenge them (as if they do, but they're challenging you and it would be a fair question. You want to be able to control this and not get sidetracked by these question.)

3. Expands my wardrobe choices: this is another "so what" statement. What do they care if you are frustrated by this? Their response: probably most workers are and have learned to deal with it without making a public spectacle. You're talking to a culture that shows fashion by changes in ties. This would also sound like you would be going outside the dress code which they won't allow.

I don't mean to sound discouraging. Please, go for it. I just want you to have sharp weapons in your hand for this fight. I wouldn't be doing this because the nature of my job realistically prevents it. However, I am trained in the methods of this kind of issue.

Here's the script. Memo is good, it creates a paper trail. Consider the politics of using your manager's name on the memo: would he be okay with that, or would that be putting an ally on the spot? Keep the memo real short, two statements, you tell them. Make them come back with the questions, on paper. Make them explain the question before you answer. (Maybe post it here.) Keep it clear that you are trying to work within the system. Do some homework, the US is fairly primitive in terms of Human Rights and you need to know what is covered where you are.

The challenge will be that your best argument is the gender clothing one. If it's not safe for you to wear a skirt, then it's not safe for the women either. The backlash is that you may have your sexual orientation challenged. The Scottish response is to laugh and shrug it off. It's part of the fight, don't let it distract you.

The encouragement: jurisprudence is that when push comes to shove, the right to wear a kilt has usually won. That means legal history is on your side. A recent thread gave a very good American example. A lot of people here are already doing it. Keep your dignity and plan for a long campaign. If you're denied, ask for possible exemptions like the ones already discussed.

Or, on the other hand, remember that it is easier to ask for forgiveness, than to get permission. Bad voice, get back in head.