Kicked out of work for wearing kilt

[Tobus]

A retired officer is perfectly entitled to continue to use his rank if he wishes to.

Yes, that's true. My grandfather used his rank title of Colonel on his correspondence until the day he died. But he NEVER introduced himself as such or asked anyone to refer to him as Colonel outside the military. Here in the civilian world, it's considered pompous and arrogant to do that. Most civilians don't know how military rank works and they don't care. It doesn't gain them much, if any, respect in the civilian world. If anything, it causes certain people to respect them less if they insist on being referred to by their defunct military rank.

Of course, like you said, this may not be the case with the supervisor in Scotcop's story.

[Schiehallion]

Having read through all the comments I am amazed at how behind employment law looks to me as an outsider from the other side of the 'pond'
I maybe wrong about this ... but it has made me appreciate the law we have in protecting our individual rights and against the bullying of those who are put in positions of supervisory or line management.
I would fight my ground, but then I would have had the FULL support of my union and professional body in such a case. My HR would also be fighting my case and would be issuing a verbal or written warning to that supervisor.

[Tobus]

Having read through all the comments I am amazed at how behind employment law looks to me as an outsider from the other side of the 'pond'

Keep in mind that American business is based on a strong sense of property rights. The owner of a business has the right to mostly run his business how he sees fit. Except for well defined legal protections (like race, gender, etc.), employers can and should be allowed to hire and fire people based on how they want their business to be represented.

I don't want this to turn political, but you should understand that American business is very different than most of Europe, where "workers' parties" seem to dominate. Here, it's mostly an "open shop" environment except for certain trades (and only in certain areas) where labor unions are strong. Americans as a whole tend to favor the idea that employers should be free to run their business as they see fit, and if they turn out to be poor employers, people won't want to work for them. The good employers will retain good employees and the bad ones won't. The free market corrects itself. Employees therefore don't have any legal protection for wearing kilts to work, wearing green mohawks, or getting facial tattoos if the employer doesn't like it. The employer has every right to determine a dress code because it's his business. He owns it, not the employee. I fail to see how that's "behind" in any way.

[dfmacliam]

I hope this is and will be an isolated instance, with this gentleman. I know not everyone has issues with intergrating back into the civilian world, and sometimes one has learning situations come up. Lets hope this is one of those and he learns from his mistake. I notice you do not mention other occurences where he has been out of line. So lets hope this is a one time situation, and with a little education, he will be more understanding of the Scottish Culture.
You seem to be respected by your employer, since she helped select your outfit for Tartan Day, and her comments about the way you normally dress, says you take pride in your appearance, and to me that says you take your job very serious. Keep up the good work, and allow others to make themselves look foolish while you continue to shine.

[Michael Flemming]

I know from some of the mandatory trainings I've had to sit through at work that if you use "transy", "sexual harrasment" and "creating a hostile work environment" in a polite sentence, it is **guaranteed**!!! to get your managers attention. All managers in the US these days are aware of the legal issues that can result from this sort of behavior.

Using the proper code words is a way to let them know that you know too.

[Jack Daw]

After working 33 years for the same bank where I have had my experience working for bosses like yours, here's my advice:

1) If you don't plan to make a career of this place, then go to the boss that gave you permission and rat out the lower-level boss; or...
2) If you plan to make a long career of this place, then drop it, because if you complain (and win or lose), your immediate boss will come up with many ways to get back at you that won't be traceable to this incident.

[B. Somm]

Hey Scotcop, any updates or decisions at this point?

B.

[Nighthawk]

Hey Scotcop, any updates or decisions at this point?

B.

That's why I opened the thread... I was wondering the same thing (and I posted simply as a ***BUMP!***

[Scotcop]

They cut my hours so I am not working this week, and will talk to my manager when I go in next, till then it's on hold, however, I have applied for a security position at a local firm here in Madison, if I get it by bye bookstore

[Squeaky McMurdo]

And then you can come in wearing a kilt as much as you please!