Kicked out of work for wearing kilt

[Aengus]

Coming from a manager's point of view I would go to the Manager that allowed you to wear it in the first place and let him know how poorly this lower level supervisor treated you and file a formal complaint. Stand up for yourself. This "army brat" has barked up the wrong tree. Don't mess with the celts boyo, or you may get the sword!
lol

[Nighthawk]

Coming from a manager's point of view I would go to the Manager that allowed you to wear it in the first place and let him know how poorly this lower level supervisor treated you and file a formal complaint. Stand up for yourself. This "army brat" has barked up the wrong tree. Don't mess with the celts boyo, or you may get the sword!
lol

I like you! You beat me to it! I had a similar problem where I used to work, until I talked to HR. Not only the HR lady tell me that I could wear my kilt on cultural holidays, but that the company antidiscrimination policy allowed me to wear it whenever I wanted. Check company policy, as well.

[Galician]

I like your company, Nighthawk!

The HR department of my company has a consultant in the Southwest saying that a kilt is not acceptable business attire. (Her surname is VERY English, which has had me wondering about discrimination.)

In fact, while my new manager had originally said that I could wear to work, first for St. Patrick's Day, then for Tartan Day, my immediate supervisor apparently raised a bit of a stink, so that he backed down at the last minute for Tartan Day. At least he had the decency to come to me and tell me face-to-face.

[AFS1970]

I can not see why so many want you to fall on your sword. If we are going to be careful not to vilify the victim here, we also need to just as careful not to sanctify the aggressor.

I agree a letter seeking clarification might be in order, if for no other reason than that all workplace issues should be documented in writing. I have been on the wrong end of verbal agreements before.

However there is no need to say that you now see things his way and that you agree it was unprofessional or disruptive. There is no reason to apologize for being proud of your heritage. There are many workplace diversity efforts out there which are simply code words for non-European heritage only clubs.

If you write a letter perhaps change it that you understand how he could think it unprofessional but that you disagree with that opinion. If he was the only one who told you he was personally embarrassed then there is no need to apologize at all for embarrassing your coworkers who were not in fact embarrassed.

As for the Transy remark, you might even refer him to books on Scottish heritage and formal dress that can be found in your own book store to clarify that part of his belief. He on the other hand should be very glad that you are not a transvestite, as then he would be up the creek without a paddle. I guarantee that your stores workplace harassment policy strictly forbid harassing those individuals for their dress while ignoring your specific situation.

[Good Egg]

I can not see why so many want you to fall on your sword. If we are going to be careful not to vilify the victim here, we also need to just as careful not to sanctify the aggressor.

I agree a letter seeking clarification might be in order, if for no other reason than that all workplace issues should be documented in writing. I have been on the wrong end of verbal agreements before.

However there is no need to say that you now see things his way and that you agree it was unprofessional or disruptive. There is no reason to apologize for being proud of your heritage. There are many workplace diversity efforts out there which are simply code words for non-European heritage only clubs.

If you write a letter perhaps change it that you understand how he could think it unprofessional but that you disagree with that opinion. If he was the only one who told you he was personally embarrassed then there is no need to apologize at all for embarrassing your coworkers who were not in fact embarrassed.

As for the Transy remark, you might even refer him to books on Scottish heritage and formal dress that can be found in your own book store to clarify that part of his belief. He on the other hand should be very glad that you are not a transvestite, as then he would be up the creek without a paddle. I guarantee that your stores workplace harassment policy strictly forbid harassing those individuals for their dress while ignoring your specific situation.

You missed the point of my letter. Its a tactical withdrawal designed to win the strategic battle by drawing the attention of the management to an unacceptable situation without turning it into a confrontational situation.

What we want is the Manger owner to scratch his head and say: 'I told him he could wear his kilt who does the Major think he is countermanding my authority' as opposed to backing him into a corner where he feels that he has to support the Major. He may also not be thrilled with the idea that his employees are scared of the Major - not very bookshop that.

Major is a somewhat over rated rank. Except for the young thrusters passing through it at speed it tends to be occupied by sad and bitter passed overs doing tedious staff jobs.ith:

[GreenDragon]

I like your company, Nighthawk!

The HR department of my company has a consultant in the Southwest saying that a kilt is not acceptable business attire. (Her surname is VERY English, which has had me wondering about discrimination.)

In fact, while my new manager had originally said that I could wear to work, first for St. Patrick's Day, then for Tartan Day, my immediate supervisor apparently raised a bit of a stink, so that he backed down at the last minute for Tartan Day. At least he had the decency to come to me and tell me face-to-face.

So he thinks it's okay to celebrate your Irish heritage, but not your Scottish heritage?

[Scott West]

Ah yes, another military retiree that can't seem to let go of their previous life - they're a dime a dozen. In a way it's sad because people like that literally live in the past, superimposing a previous existence onto the present. I'm retired Air Force (did my 20 years), but now I'm civilian. That was then this is now, simple as that. But it's the one's who become institutionalized that can not make the reversion back to civilian status.

Of course, the manner in which 'Mr. Major' chose to approach the situtation was heavy-handed. An axiom in the military is "praise in public, punish in private", so obviously the scolding was executed solely for self-stroking. Trust me, Scotcop - correcting the incident by coordinating cooly, and without passion, with the approving supervisor will be revenge enough on the 'Major'. (Ex)Military bullies CAN'T STAND IT when they are unable to arouse aggression from their target.

Or, if you REALLY want to get his goat, simply tell him "you're dismissed" after a discussion. Then, watch him swallow his tongue trying to respond fast enough!

[Galician]

So he thinks it's okay to celebrate your Irish heritage, but not your Scottish heritage?

Well, just to be clear, I have neither Irish nor Scottish heritage.

By chance, said supervisor was out of the office in that period, EXCEPT for St. Patrick's Day. Since I had the manager's permission that day, he apparently said nothing about the woman in HR judging it to be inappropriate. The corporate guidelines do give local management the final say, however. So when I approached the new manager for Tartan Day, I let him know that there had an issue about it from his precedesor (which is why it went to HR). Regardless, he had felt it worth doing.

He then went on to notify the supervisors in the office that he had okay'ed my wearing it for the workday. At this point, said supervisor seems to have raised a stink about the HR position. That's when the manager backed down. I understood and didn't raise a fuss.

But now that the HR person's position has come up AGAIN, I am considering taking further action. I just don't know where to go and what stand I would have, given what I said in my first sentence.

[ronstew]

Galician, I think your last sentence sums up your chances.

Bummer.

[Galician]

Yes, it's something of which I am aware. I had grown up hearing of Galicia as the Celtic region of Spain, so upon though learning of my Galician heritage I felt that I had found my own connection to the Celtic world.

Since then, I have learned how many--even here on this site--are less than accepting of this historical heritage. That gives me pause on whether the effort to have my wearing a kilt accepted due to my own Celtic connection would be worth the effort.

My wearing of a kilt outside of work, of course, is still my own personal choice of attire, regardless of any Celtic connection.