Kilts in the office

**arrogcow** · 26th September 05, 11:15 PM

Originally Posted by KiltedCodeWarrior

I want to reply back, via e-mail, that Friday is not a special cultural or religious day,

Tell them you're a Sixth Day Junkist (quick someone give me the reference).

Adam

**Graham** · 27th September 05, 12:05 AM

Friday, for Jews and Sabbatarian Christians is the day of Preparation for the Sabbath.
It is the sixth day on which God created Mankind, in His own Image. God is portrayed in white robes, not trousers.
It's also the day the Lord Jesus was crucified, to me that is special, so I would wear a kilt on that day.

**Ugly Bear** · 27th September 05, 04:28 AM

Seems to me the problem is that the dress code is vague enough to omit anything. That part about "clothing not usual for the workplace" is tough. So rather than work with the rules, work with the people.

Remember that bureaucrats are terrified of using their own judgement, and HR is as bureaucratic as they come. The HR director will probably assume that the kilt is inappropriate because she believes that others will think that. She needs proof to the contrary, proof that can't come from emails.

So wear the kilt in to work. Expect that by lunch the HR director will tell you, apologetically, that you should go home and change.

Here's the important part: When this happens, wince and say, "Oooh, I'm in the middle of something really important that can't wait. [Insert technobabble here.] I'll take care of it as soon as I can." And then go back to your work.

"As soon as I can" CANNOT be before 4:00 pm.

By then, there should be a consensus in the office. I'm pretty sure the consensus will be that the kilt is not harmful. The consensus will find its way back to the HR director. So, the next week when you say to the HR director, "You know, the kilt seemed to go down well last week, and people are asking me when's the next time I'm going to wear it in to the office. I'd like to wear it in on Fridays." Once you get your Fridays, getting your Mondays through Thursdays shouldn't be a stretch.

DISCLAIMER: I work in a lab where full pants are required (even for the women), and have not tested this theory.

**davedove** · 27th September 05, 05:43 AM

Check out this thread for some dates:

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

**A Dhuglas** · 27th September 05, 12:13 PM

What a thread! I've been out of the loop for quite some time and this one caught my eye.

KCW - I feel your pain. My ramble begins...

I'm with a large financial info outfit here in NYC. We, too, are in the 'Top 3'. My group just moved offices from the West Village to the company's Wall St. area site and there's a palpable difference in the atmosphere. In the West Village you'd need to dangle live animals from your nipples to get the general public to turn its head. Not so in the land of Big Money.

I'm in the 'product management' end of things here so my interaction with the world is limited. After my first wearing of the kilt in April at a buddy's wedding I was hooked and, before returning the rented outfit, I wore it to the West Village office. Some snickers, double-takes, "Where's the parade?", etc. but nothing bad. A couple of kilts entered my wardrobe and cycled through the office when I felt like wearing them.

My manager has known me for over five years now so our relationship is stable. She knows I'm quiet, even-keeled, etc. She usually chuckles when she sees me in the kilt, breaks my chops a bit and gets her Irish-heritage tweeked in turn.

Chalk it up to hitting 40 last year, our West Village locale or spite but I didn't run my intent to wear a kilt past HR. Factor in the company's Great White North and UK roots. Considering the degree to which the world is pussyfooting to 'politcal correctness' in all aspects of life, I believe HR is the last group who would launch an attack. There is so much focus on diversity that one middle-aged white dude in a kilt probably isn't a big concern.

Our "business casual/professional appearance" dress code specifies what one cannot wear. A kilt is not among the entries. Is it 'professional?' I don't think any corporate entity really wants to try to define that term -- it's far too subjective and open to interpretation based on one's own perspective. My kilts are worn with the same attention to appearance - if not even more attention - I give to trousers.

I figure my chances of successfully defending myself from corporate attack are pretty good.

Now that we're in the Wall Street area I did feel more eyes, etc. when out and about and in the office. One fellow on my floor - African-American - busted my chops but failed to get the rise he apparently desired or land the dig he attempted. He also received no answer to how he should come to the office in African dress and the both of us pay a visit to the executive floor.

My $0.02: I think you're going down the right path. I join in any advice re breaking HR's attempts to lump the kilt in with cultural/religous wear subject to limitations of wearing. While 'cultural' is legitimate, the kilt is not a costume and should not be construed as such. Just because it's new to the American business arena doesn't mean it's abnormal.

**KiltedCodeWarrior** · 27th September 05, 02:24 PM

A_Dhuglas,

Thanks for the support. I also sent you a PM.

I sent the following note to HR today:

HR,

I got your voice mail and while I don't know whether this Friday is a specific Scottish, Irish, Welsh, or Celtic holiday, it is possible given the number of saints, celebrations, historical events, etc. that are represented by those countries.

I am not looking to wear a kilt as a costume to celebrate a special day, (which I would expect to be covered by our Diversity policies), but as a professional article of clothing. I reviewed both the "International Corporate" and the "North American" dress code policies and they do not prohibit it. I just wanted to give you a heads up in case somebody had questions.

Does this clarify my initial email?

Thanks!
RJI

No response yet. We will see what tomorrow brings.

RJI