Kicked out of work for wearing kilt

**ronstew** · 7th April 10, 01:13 PM

I have only been chewing on this for a few hours, and in time of high emotion, three days is a minimum cooling-off period. But this is what I am thinking at the moment.

This is not a simple kilt issue; it is an issue of human dignity. Scotcop's shift manager has reacted to a minor situation with a wildly disproportional tirade, including implications that many would consider sexual harrassment.

In this situation, I would speak to the store manager, and tell her that I will no longer work when that shift manager is in the store. I would say that only a full and public apology, coupled with a change of behaviour could change that.

True, there may be perks to working in a Christian store, but that evaporates when people act in a manner unworthy of the name Christian. And, yes, I know that work can be hard to find, but working in a poisoned environment is worth a lot more than minimum wage.

If your next shift is some days off, Scotcop, I would strongly recommend sleeping on it before you do or say anything. In the meantime, it seems that you have done an admirable job of turning the other cheek.

**Tony Miles** · 7th April 10, 01:18 PM

Get a black kilt and white shirt and lawyer. Seriously this thing could earn you an early retirement or at least some nice college funds in court. Christian or not he can't do that

**shanetown** · 7th April 10, 01:31 PM

"I have 3 words for you, asinine, idiotic, and unprofessional. This is not Jr. high, this is not show and tell, we are big boys here, and we are here to work, I dont care if it's Irish Day, I don't care if you are a transy, but when you come to work, you will wear this uniform, or you will be released. You have reflected badly on me, my judgment and position, you have embarrassed me and the other employees, and you have reflected badly on the professionalism of this job. If you have any sense of decency and maturity about you will be go home and change into proper attire."

That was WAY more than 3 words...

**bigdad1** · 7th April 10, 03:24 PM

It seems that regardless of whose permission you thought you had you were told by a direct supervisor that you were not to be kilted. He may well have acted like a jerk when he told you but the bottom line is he is the boss and his word is what you need to listen to. My way or the highway is applicable here. Going above his head on this, after the fact, will only serve to make him mad and you can count on him getting revenge at the first opportunity. The chain of command idea isn't just for the military it works in civilian life as well. If I were you I would count this as a lesson learned as to what kind of person he is and what the rules are, and I would move on. You have vented here so you have nothing more to gain. I imagine most of us on this forum have worked for one or more jerks in our lifetime so welcome to the club.

**azwildcat96** · 7th April 10, 03:35 PM

Originally Posted by bigdad1

It seems that regardless of whose permission you thought you had you were told by a direct supervisor that you were not to be kilted. He may well have acted like a jerk when he told you but the bottom line is he is the boss and his word is what you need to listen to. My way or the highway is applicable here. Going above his head on this, after the fact, will only serve to make him mad and you can count on him getting revenge at the first opportunity. The chain of command idea isn't just for the military it works in civilian life as well. If I were you I would count this as a lesson learned as to what kind of person he is and what the rules are, and I would move on. You have vented here so you have nothing more to gain. I imagine most of us on this forum have worked for one or more jerks in our lifetime so welcome to the club.

bigdad1, you're quite right. It sounds like scotcop did the right thing in obtaining permission first, and also did the right thing in turning the other cheek. The only thing I would add is that karma has a way dealing with those that deserve to be dealt with!

**Steve Barclay** · 7th April 10, 03:59 PM

Originally Posted by bigdad1

It seems that regardless of whose permission you thought you had you were told by a direct supervisor that you were not to be kilted. He may well have acted like a jerk when he told you but the bottom line is he is the boss and his word is what you need to listen to. My way or the highway is applicable here. Going above his head on this, after the fact, will only serve to make him mad and you can count on him getting revenge at the first opportunity. The chain of command idea isn't just for the military it works in civilian life as well. If I were you I would count this as a lesson learned as to what kind of person he is and what the rules are, and I would move on. You have vented here so you have nothing more to gain. I imagine most of us on this forum have worked for one or more jerks in our lifetime so welcome to the club.

I couldn't disagree more, this man is abusing his position- you need to complain, and if he tries to take revenge it is victimisation and tribunal time. Idiots like this cannot win, you have rights, you had cleared it with his superior prior to the event, and the "transy" comment was pure gold for you as that is harassment pure and simple, especially if it was in front of other people (who may also act as witnesses). I don't suppose your workplace has a union, but is there an employment conciliation service like our AKAS in the US? I imagine if so they would take a dim view of him if you were to tell them. BY NO MEANS leave your job, otherwise this ar$eh01e has won- seriously, you have to fight a b@st@rd such as this.

**bricelythgoe** · 7th April 10, 03:38 PM

If it were me, I would not be working there any more. I would start looking for a new job. That is just me.

**bigdad1** · 7th April 10, 03:56 PM

Originally Posted by bricekolob

If it were me, I would not be working there any more. I would start looking for a new job. That is just me.

That is a nice sentiment but it doesn't pay the bills. I believe they call that cutting of ones nose to spite ones face. I doesn't accomplish anything except lose you a job.

**bricelythgoe** · 7th April 10, 05:38 PM

Originally Posted by bigdad1

That is a nice sentiment but it doesn't pay the bills. I believe they call that cutting of ones nose to spite ones face. I doesn't accomplish anything except lose you a job.

You find the job FIRST, then quit. That is the idea I was going for. I conform to my work, not my work to me.

**Downunder Kilt** · 7th April 10, 06:00 PM

I don't have "SUPERIORS" in my work enviroment, sure I have bosses, supervisors and persons senior to me but none hold themselves out to be SUPERIOR.
I realise a lot of members are ex mlitary and the idea of a person being superior to you may have been drummed in but I don't think in the outside world that, in this day and age, anybody can claim to be a persons superior

And yes, I served my country for 17 years