Kilts in the office

**Dreadbelly** · 15th September 05, 10:01 AM

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** · 15th September 05, 10:10 AM

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

**richardljohnson** · 7th October 05, 03:20 PM

Originally Posted by cajunscot

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

I have also added MY birthday to the list.

Also, if you do have a company dess code (we do) and it simply says "business casual" and the goes to describe things NOT considered, cargo pants, extreme faded or torn jeans, tube tops...you get the idea. Kilts definately fit into the 'casual' catagory. However, I did approch the department director first before the first time and 'ask' their views. This was a few days before Tartan Day AND I had set up a display a week before on Scotland, America and Celebration of Tartan Day. This worked great.

Good Luck,
Richard-

**Andrew Breecher** · 7th October 05, 11:38 PM

Originally Posted by richardljohnson

Kilts definately fit into the 'casual' catagory.

Yet, if you wear an Argyle jacket and a tie, it's as formal as a suit. Or if you wear a Prince Charlie and a bow tie, it's the equivalent of a tuxedo (well okay, it's far, far cooler than a tuxedo).

Andrew.

**Southern Breeze** · 8th October 05, 08:37 PM

Heres another day thats reason to celebrate - the first aniversery of wearing a kilt,AKA Mr Happies freedom day. :grin:

**Dreadbelly** · 8th October 05, 08:41 PM

You could casually mention that today is your very merry unbirthday...

Just wear your top hat tilted at a jauntly angle.

**davedove** · 10th October 05, 03:27 PM

Originally Posted by Dreadbelly

You could casually mention that today is your very merry unbirthday...

Just wear your top hat tilted at a jauntly angle.

Now I'm going to have a picture of Dread in a top hat in my head and not be able to get rid of it!;)

**Schultz** · 15th September 05, 10:30 AM

Originally Posted by 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.

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.

**Lee** · 15th September 05, 05:04 PM

Hey, RJI.
As Robert said, I work for a financial institution (one of the world's smallest) and I've been wearing the kilt to work full-time since April (or thereabouts).

I work in IT. Don't meet the 'public', so to speak.
I did check the dress code and could find no reason why I should not be comfortable. So now I am.

Even the CEO (after the initial giggling) seems fine with the kilt(s).

Wear the kilt with respect and confidence. Who can argue with that?

Lee

Robert - no change in the 'no leather' policy at work, but I still want one.
After all, I don't spend all my time at work, eh?
I'm thinking the dark navy blue . . . . as soon as the budget allows.
OK - maybe before.

**Canuck** · 15th September 05, 05:37 PM

Originally Posted by Lee

Robert - no change in the 'no leather' policy at work, but I still want one.
After all, I don't spend all my time at work, eh?
I'm thinking the dark navy blue . . . . as soon as the budget allows.
OK - maybe before.

As luck would have it, you will have some time to save. It has been really successful at the games this summer and word of mouth, that I am booked till the end of November, and that's me building kilts 6 days a week 12 hour days..... I have one more show to do and that's this weekend in Owen Sound....
But I would be happy to build you one whenever you're ready
Cheers
Robert