Kilts in the office

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

So I have become an overnight convert and now am trying to determine how to let my empoyer let me wear a kilt to the office everyday. I am sure that I could have shown my colleagues and boss how tasteful and stylish kilts are by wearing one this past Monday on National Kilt Day, but at that point I had not received either of my kilts. I don't want to wait until next year's National Kilt Day, and I don't know of any other recognized day that would provide a pretense for coming in kilted.

I did read of one person's experience and approach to getting allowed to wear a kilt to the office, but I wanted to see if anyone else had tackled this project. Specifically, I work for one of the world's largest (we're #3) financial institutions, so I expect that I will run into some resistance due to the conservative nature of banking. I am also in a management position, which may help or hinder me, I can't decide which! Could anybody provide feedback on their experiences and approach to this, and include some details regarding the size of the organization, where located (are companies in some countries more open to this?), your level in the organization, and whether your focus is strictly internal to the company or you have direct contact, face to face not phone, with external parties.

I hope this is not asking too much. I don't want/need to know which company or confidential details, but hope to gain some insight on how to approach this.

Thanks in advance!
RJI

[cavscout]

Probably the easiest way would be to utilize the casual Friday approach if your company does that. Once everyone is used to seeing it on Friday's you may be able to work it in on other days.

It never hurts though to go ahead and give your supervisor a heads up, and check with the HR department and check the Employee manual to make sure their are no clauses prohibiting men from exrtemes of dress or any other vague catch all phrases.

I've heard of some people bringing in photos of themselves or others in similar attire to what you want to wear so they can have a clear idea of what to expect.

Good luck. Kilted at work is a better day.

[KumaSan]

Psssst...Hey, look, it's Kilt Day again: http://www.kiltday.com
I have a sneaking suspiscion that it may extend and cover tomorrow as well...

[Alan H]

I work at Stanford University in the IT section of the Uni Libraries, and truth be told, I just showed up with one, one day. I got a couple of comments from various people...

"So, kilt today" from my boss. That's it. I don't think he's ever said another word about it.

"Is this the anniversary of some great Scottish victory?" From Greg the primary sys admin who's a history buff....

...and some BIG eyeballs from some of the students.

I've only had one contrary experience at work, which I related on this board. I "managed" it remarkably well for me, and it's now a non-issue, since the Director of the Libraries publically told me that he liked my kilt and "We don't see enough of that tradition around here." I wore my Stillwater Black Watch the day of the Library Advisory Board meeting (I did tech support) and received lots of compliments and was heavily flirted with by some of the *Extremely* senior (as in University hierarchy, not age) women in attendance.

so now I'm kilted at work 2 days a week on the average (today is one of them) and right now, it's a non-issue.

I know that doesn't help you a lot, but that's my story.

[davedove]

For some special days, check out this thread:

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=11627

As far as the office, when you decide to wear the kilt in, be sure to match the general level of dress. In other words, if you're supposed to wear a jacket and tie, do so with the kilt.

You might also want to ease into the office thing. If you have any casual events (picnics, etc.) wear the kilt there, so that the people get used to the idea of you in a kilt. Then just work up from there.

I work for the army as a civilian and don't interact a lot with people outside the organization. I don't wear the kilt all the time at my office. While there is no official dress code, we are expected to dress appropriately. Of course, some get pretty casual. The Director recently made a statement, "If people think you're part of the cleaning staff, you probably need to dress up a little more." When I wear my kilt, I try to look neat and presentable. It's pretty much a non-event for me now, even though I only wear the kilt maybe once every two weeks or so.

[Canuck]

One of our members (Lee) works in a financial instituition. PM him I'm sure he can give you advice.
He wears a kilt everyday. I think they drew the line on leather! Dang.....
Cheers
Robert

[Prester John]

Every day is Kilt Day....but Saturday night is Kilt night!

It's our new family slogan (among others)

[Dreadbelly]

Just do it.

If they don't like it, threaten with law suits for cultural and ethnic discrimination. Kilts are covered by the same protective blanket as turbans, various robes, yamakas, vests, etc, and all are protected by US law. If people don't like it, they can shut the hell up and deal with it. It's just a piece of clothing. The sooner men make it normal the sooner it will be accepted as normal. Your place of employment can not fire you for wearing a kilt so long as it is not an occupational workplace hazard. And in an office, you are safe from being pulled in to heavy machinery. So they have no legal grounds to deny you.

Take your rights and seize them. Muster your courage, and just do it.

And don't take no crap from nobody either. Put people in their place if they give you lip. It is your right to do so. Discrimination is still discrimination. And so is sexual harassment. But that's another post.

Good luck.

From here on out, it is up to you if you want your life to become interesting. It's quite a journey. Lots of rewards. Some risks. Are ye up for it?

Edit. If this seems hostile and confrontational, it is. I have not yet hit the magical 12 cup mark on my coffee intake that makes life happy and wonderful. And I have had some bad kilting experiences lately. I do wish to make it known that I am not angry or onery at any of you.

Some of the big shot managers of the building where I live are getting pissy about my kilt wearing because they say "crossdressing" goes against the dress code in the building. I responded badly. I shut them up and put them in their place, and told them any further exchanges would be done via a lawyer. No word from them yet, but I could have handled that a whole lot better.

Don't let people step on your toes. That is all.

[macwilkin]

Dave already mentioned the previous thread for days appropriate to wear a kilt on, but some of the "biggies" are:

January 25: Robert Burns's birthday

April 6: Tartan Day (in honour of the Declaration of Arbroath, 1320)

April 16: The Battle of Culloden, 1746

June 9: St. Columba's Day

June 24: The Battle of Bannockburn, 1314

November 30: St. Andrew's Day

December 31/January 1: Hogmanay/New Year's Day

Cheers,

Todd

[Schultz]

Just do it.

If they don't like it, threaten with law suits for cultural and ethnic discrimination. Kilts are covered by the same protective blanket as turbans, various robes, yamakas, vests, etc, and all are protected by US law. If people don't like it, they can shut the hell up and deal with it. It's just a piece of clothing. The sooner men make it normal the sooner it will be accepted as normal. Your place of employment can not fire you for wearing a kilt so long as it is not an occupational workplace hazard. And in an office, you are safe from being pulled in to heavy machinery. So they have no legal grounds to deny you.

Quite true, but if you live in what is known as an "at-will" state, such as Maryland, an employer can terminate your employment for any reason (aside from the normal EEOC stuff). Failure to adhere to an employment "dress code", which was instituted long before your employment, can lead to unemployment very quickly.

Granted, you can give it a try and only the most cold employer would fire you for not following the dress code (assuming there is one written down), but if you are told that its not appropriate for the workplace according the dress code, and you continue to flaunt it, you're going to get fired.

My law firm, for example, has a positive dress code, meaning that it doesn't say what employees can't wear, but what we are expected to wear. Unless I get permission from HR, I'm not wearing my kilt to work. Of course, I can get away with it on, say, Halloween (which I plan to do this year) and National Tartan Day (I've already asked), but on a daily basis, it's a no-go yet and I know it. I will, of course, ask permission on certain days (Robbie Burns' day, St. Andrew's Day, New Years, etc), but I'm not going to just show up in it. It won't fly and I will, at the very least, be sent home and have a leave day docked.