Kilted at Work

**OFCJAX** · 22nd April 08, 01:19 AM

Wore one today to a luncheon we had. Got great reviews. Even got kilt checked by one of those rolling mirrors used to check for bombs!

**Atlanta Kiltie** · 22nd April 08, 02:32 AM

I was told yesterday by HR that my kilt fits well within the agency's dress code; the kilt does not go above my knee and that it was OK for me to wear it. This is with out me asking mind you. Yes, I will get some questions and I will get teased about the "skirt" but the vast majority of the questions will be intelligent, thoughtful inquires about what I am wearing under it.

**Frank McGrath** · 22nd April 08, 02:52 AM

The only time my co-workers see the kilt is at the company holiday party in Feb. Dress at the party ranges from tux to t shirt and jeans. (one of our mechanics actually wore a t shirt and work pants straight from working in his garage) I have worn the kilt to both of the parties I have attended. It is a big hit with the wives, drawing attention away from the husbands so they can drink and talk shop. I hate shop talk in a social setting. I am jealous of those who can wear the tartan to work. Next year at the party, It's full regailia for me. I dress for me. Not for others. Except my wife.

**elrond** · 22nd April 08, 06:34 AM

I cannot wear the kilt during my job, as working for a public company and being in a sort of "front office" with citizens and with politicians it is impossible to me to wear it.
But as a think I will change my job in the next year, it will be easier to me to wear the tank everyday in the future!

**Sealark** · 23rd April 08, 12:25 PM

I've only worn my kilt once at work, this past January, and I have to admit I had a blast! All good comments, and tons of picture taking: camera phones, digital cameras, I even had to pose for an upper management government employee that drove to my office to have my picture taken. I may not be kilted everyday at work, but my pictures are plastered all over the place at the office. Just yesterday a gentlemen in the elevator inquired if I wore a kilt at this office complex, after I told him yes, he proceeded to tell me the story of his daughters wedding and how she wanted all of the guys to wear kilts, good woman! So he and the other guys found a rental store and sported kilts for her special day. I must say that I enjoy the conversations that arise from wearing a kilt. I just need more than one kilt!!!!

**Jake_S** · 24th April 08, 12:00 PM

I have worn my kilt to work twice, once was last fall and I got some questions, but no comments from HR.

The second time was about a month and a half ago, and I wasn't in the building more than 5 minutes before one of the HR reps came to see me. Needless to say the kilt has been banned from the office, even though the policy does not mention anything about, or against, it.

To all those that can wear kilts to work, I envy you.

Jake

**Galician** · 24th April 08, 12:22 PM

Did they give you a reason in writing?

One of the members here (The Macfie) just checked with the HR Dept for his company, an affiliate of mine, and within two days, the word came down that, as long as it was worn in a business-like manner (shirt and tie, dress shoes and hose), he could wear it.

This despite the fact that he is a sales rep who works directly with the public!

**Jake_S** · 24th April 08, 12:58 PM

The reason given was that it was not professional, and that it was distracting to the other workers

I of course, told them that it was more professional looking than outfits that some of the females wear, but that was ignored.
And nothing was ever put into writing, my guess would be plausible deniability in case a lawsuit was ever brought up.

**Galician** · 24th April 08, 01:04 PM

Perhaps there are other ways of dealing with it long before a lawsuit was contemplated (if you even ever were to!). Is there an appeals process available, where they have to answer in writing in what way the kilt is unprofessional and distracting.

My friend was originally discouraged by the person with whom he initially made contact in his HR department (despite the note she made that she was 100% Irish).

There are lots of thread on here on how it can be presented in a respectable way.

**Jake_S** · 24th April 08, 01:17 PM

I was not considering a lawsuit (that's not my personality), and I won't pursue it while our current CEO is still in charge. WE just got the OK to wear shirts w/o ties, so the chance of anyone in HR growing a set and going against the "values" that our CEO has set into place