Gauging HR re kilted at the office

**KiltedCodeWarrior** · 11th August 06, 07:22 PM

Well, I wish you well, but I would seriously suggest mentioning it to your manager ASAP! HR will contact him or her, and it is better if you have mentioned ahead of time that you will be pushing the dress code in your company. Otherwise, I agree with your approach. Search the archives and you will see that I went through a similar experience about a year ago, as have others.

Good luck!

Originally Posted by A Dhuglas

I thought I'd wait a full month before approaching HR to see how they'd feel about me coming into the office kilted. I almost made it to a month...

My HR rep seems open to the idea and is going to run it up the HR flagpole. She really isn't sure what the reaction will be.

Didn't run it by my manager yet since HR would be the ultimate arbiter if anyone yapped. I suspect he'll support me as long as I'm not doing it for the sake of attention-getting behavior.

Here's hoping I'm among an enlightened crowd.

**NewKilt** · 11th August 06, 08:07 PM

I hope the decision turns out favorable for you. I agree with KiltedCodeWarrior - let your boss know that you have contacted HR.

Darrell

**A Dhuglas** · 14th August 06, 11:26 AM

Just updating - no news yet on my inquiry since some of the HR folks are still out of the office.

Thanks for the kind words in many of the posts. For those who were denied the option of kilted attire at work: my condolences and prayers that I don't join your ranks.

KCW - if I remember correctly, we exchanged notes during your foray last year. I was glad all worked out so well for you.

Chris Webb - your suggestion was my tactic with the company I recently left (BTW my departure was not kilt related -- I'd just had my fill of them). In this circumstance, however, I feel discretion is the better of valor. This is a small, top-notch outfit I joined thanks to a former co-worker who is once again a co-worker. I don't want my actions to cast him in any negative light nor do I want to risk getting the boot.

When something substantive pops up, I'll pass the word.

DD

**Jimmy the Celt** · 14th August 06, 11:46 AM

I'll keep my fingers crossed for ya.

I understand banning the kilt from the dress code for safety reasons, where loose clothing could be a work hazard. But I think that in a job where business casual is the dress code, a kilt is not only appropriate wear, it looks a heck of a lot nicer than Dockers or similar casual trousers. And for that matter, I used to work for a company that required business casual dress, and yet they hired people who managed to wear offensive logos on jackets and had metal all over their face. I don't have a problem with the latter, but if that can be accepted in the workplace, there is absolutely no reason to not allow a man to wear a kilt. If they want to play the "distraction" card, multiple facial piercings can also be a distraction, but people get over it rather quickly--as they would once they realize the kilt is everyday wear for you.

I'm between jobs right now, and I'm hoping that I won't run into this type of discrimination, because discrimination of that sort is hard to prove legally, and I sure as heck don't want to have to wear trousers again.

James

**Southern Breeze** · 14th August 06, 12:24 PM

Even if it's a no-deal, remember that being kilted is also a state of mind.

**A Dhuglas** · 18th August 06, 04:39 AM

I had to wait for the HR group to have its weekly meeting yesterday. Result: clearance granted for appearing kilted on our monthly "casual" Fridays.

While not exactly a door flung wide, it certainly wasn't slammed in my face either. I see this as an opportunity to educate and to permit the power of the kilt to work its magic and spread its glow into the hearts and minds of all...so we can quickly get past once a month to "you can wear it whenever you want."

So think happy thoughts next Friday because that's when their schooling begins: a lone kilt adrift among a sea of jeans. It'll be an interesting monthly "bagels and awards" meeting that day.

**cessna152towser** · 18th August 06, 05:09 AM

Roll on next Friday. Hope it will be the first of many kilted Fridays for you.

**pbpersson** · 20th August 06, 09:38 PM

Originally Posted by A Dhuglas

I had to wait for the HR group to have its weekly meeting yesterday. Result: clearance granted for appearing kilted on our monthly "casual" Fridays.

You only have casual Fridays once a month? How does that work? Where I work we have a Friday every week!

Let me know if you only have one Monday a month, then I might want to work where you are. I hate Mondays!!

**Andrew Green** · 20th August 06, 10:31 PM

Good luck with getting the green light.

**Riverkilt** · 21st August 06, 07:44 AM

Hey A D,

That's a start. I wore my kilts to work cold and survived...started occasionally too and always on "casual Friday."

If you have an office or cubical always nice to add a few things Scottish and of your clan to establish the cultural position. There's great reluctance to challenge things cultural. Your HR committee wouldn't even consider making a Hindu lady employee "not wear" her sari to work.

Hoping your kilts include tartans for your clans...I think it helps when people ask what clan your tartan is from and you can say its from your father's clan, or your mother's clan etc.

Save the Utilikilts, the "Scottish Jeans" for that casual Friday.

I mean what are they gonna do/say if you show up kilted on a Scottish or clan holiday?

Hopefully, after the initial questions and teasing from peers passes they'll see what a non-issue kilts are....no different than a lady working in a sari.

Ron