Kicked out of work for wearing kilt

[Riverkilt]

Aye on approaching HR...if there is any.

It was the HR director who told me about the grievance process at my agency and she also pointed out the time deadline and encouraged me to file the grievance.

Upper managers need to keep their lower managers in line. Turns out I was doing her a favor by filing the grievance.

Was a victory in that the anti-kilt boss (aren't there bigger things to worry about in this business clime?) granted the grievance with the kind words, "Wear whatever the (Fword) you want!" And I do.

[ForresterModern]

None of us know all of the details or the politics of your place of employment, so giving advice to you is a lot like trying to milk a bull (it's just not going to be productive)!

OR, actually be productive but not of the product one was originally seeking.

[jkane]

If you are south east Wisconsin, and would like someone in a kilt to stop by and loudly make rude comments to a former Major coming from a former Specialist 4 (corporal) let me know. I don't mine making a fool of myself and making someone else feel uncomfortable at the same time!

It's your job. You did the right thing. Let it settle, and move on. I would find another job right now and when I give notice, make it formal and written, mailing a copy to the attention of the upper management that you really liked your job, but you could not in good conscience work for the new manager because of a personality conflict. Leave it at that.

[gordontaos]

It seems to me that you have been belittled and defamed by a manager in your company. Since this is a minmum wage job, who cares how many feathers you ruffle. Anyway, if they fire you, you get unemployment! Finally, if they fire you, they cannot tell other prospective employers the cause of the firing.
I am a fighter, and this is one situation where you can probably ultimately win, through the use of cunning and guile.
As many others have stated, check out the company policies about non discrimination.
If they are in your favor, register a formal complaint.
If not, register a complaint with the top manager against the lower manager.
If not, go to the EEOC and file a complaint. Might this be discrimination based on National Origin? Was this situation caused because you were celebrating a holiday proclaimed by President Bush in 2008? Did your manager demean you by questioning your sexual orientation? Did your manager demean others of a different sexual orientation? Was your manager discriminating against you based upon national origin or sexual orientation in violation of federal law?
Who cares about that crummy job. Have fun with this 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:

[Kilted in Maine]

So, apparently you were not in compliance with the dress code noted below.

The dress code is a white above the waist, and black below...I wore my Black Watch kilt, newly pressed, with a lavender\light blue well starched shirt, a day sporran, belt, the hose I died the other week, and a green\navy striped regimental style tie.

You can take exception to HOW you were told but the fact remains you were not in compliance with the code.

Had you worn a white shirt, would not that have been within the code? If so, you may have had been left with firmer grounds to object to his "order".

Just a thought...

[Good Egg]

So, apparently you were not in compliance with the dress code noted below.



You can take exception to HOW you were told but the fact remains you were not in compliance with the code.

Had you worn a white shirt, would not that have been within the code? If so, you may have had been left with firmer grounds to object to his "order".

Just a thought...

Point is he had permission.

[Bugbear]

OR, actually be productive but not of the product one was originally seeking.

Sorry, grew up around cattle folk.

[B. Somm]

OK, as requested a bit about me........and the job

It is a small bookstore, we get around 100 customers a day, do about 1500, and only have 2 employees working most of the time. Its in a strip mall, so that will give you an idea on the size. I have worked there for 4 months, am the 6 senior person out of 15 employees when it comes to how long we have all worked there, this guy is new, around a month, and is going to be replacing the assistant manager.

Yep, I'd go to the manager who granted you permission and explain what happened. After that, I'd consider going to the owner of the bookstore and letting them know what kind of bigoted person he/she is about to have as an assistant manager! Make sure you're calm about it and let them know that you're not trying to start any trouble, just trying to give them a heads up on what's going on and hopefully help them avoid any problems down the road. (How does this 'major' react when "tranny" types or other alternative styles of customers come through the doors?)

BTW, what kind of bookstore is it? I'm assuming it's not a 'chain' store, but a privately owned store. I would think a kilted employee would actually be a good thing in a bookstore!

As for the "uniform", you ought to ask the higher ups if a nice black traditional type kilt (not a utility kilt), a white polo shirt or shirt w/ tie and black kilt hose with your nice boots/shoes would work. Then you could be kilted all the time! (Do they specify that the "black below" has to be p@nts??)

Please keep us posted on how things go!

B.

[B. Somm]

It's your job. You did the right thing. Let it settle, and move on. I would find another job right now and when I give notice, make it formal and written, mailing a copy to the attention of the upper management that you really liked your job, but you could not in good conscience work for the new manager because of a personality conflict. Leave it at that.

Sometimes the 'battle' to win the 'war' isn't worth the hassle (especially when dealing with a small privately owned business), so the above might be the best course of action...especially if the owner/s of the store side with the "major". Of course if the store is a franchise of a larger company, then it might be worth going to 'corporate' about it, but again, depends on how much making the point is worth to you.

If they seem to care about their employees and take your concerns seriously, then it might be worth sticking around, but have a back up plan ready to go just in case things go south.

B.