Kilted at office off-site was non-event

[Rex_Tremende]

Today my extended HR team held an off-site get-to-know-each-other-thanks-for-everything meeting. It was stressed that the specified dress code was strictly casual, shorts-and-sandals casual. When my manager underscored this to me yesterday just to be sure I understood it (it was she who declared it in the first place), I asked, "Kilt casual?"

"I dare you to wear a kilt!" she prodded. At this I scrunched up my face into one of those you've-got-be-kidding looks, so she conceded, "Oh, I guess that's not much of a dare for you."

I arrived early today to help set up. I wore my khaki UK, a cream-colored cotton camp shirt printed all over with various cocktail glasses, black belt, cream hose scrunched down over black hiking boots. My manager smiled and nodded a silent acknowledgement and that was the last of it.

Of the 50 people or so who attended, there were only two comments, both from people I see almost daily. The recruiter who works across the hall from me muttered "Love the skirt!" on her way in - it was not malicious; she was ribbing me - and the HR Business Partner in the office next door to mine told me how awesome he thought I looked at the end of the session during the tear-down. Other than that, not a word.

I guess it was all those HR people practicing good HR behavior - very encouraging. Just don't look to my next appearance in a kilt during regular hours at the headquarters offices!

Regards,
Rex.

[pdcorlis]

I'm happy for you Rex - but then you are a classy guy so what's not to like about you - especially in a kilt!

[McMurdo]

That sounds like a great day Rex I'm sure it was a treat to go kilted.

[Splash_4]

That great Rex... Might they consider changing the dress code for daily wear?

[Rex_Tremende]

Might they consider changing the dress code for daily wear?

My company has a fairly broadly defined dress code. There's a certain image they want to present at a retail level that is more limited - casual but professional - but internally, it is somewhat loosely defined. On the one hand, they provide guidelines that suggest traditional business attire, but on the other, departments and locations are at liberty to define what's appropriate for the situation. There are two general rules of thumb: "Don't make us send you home to change," and "Dress at the level to which you aspire."

Our HR department has worked out an understanding between management and the staff that allow transgendered associates to dress accordingly*, and I have no doubt that if I wanted to show up in a kilt, they would back me up, too. Nevertheless, given the position I hold and my responsibilities, I am certain that choice would be career limiting.

Yeah, it sure would be nice if I could wear whatever I wanted to the office, but I'm not going to push that envelope for two reasons: I enjoy my suits and ties, and I'm not willing to be the guy who falls on this particular sword for the cause.

Regards,
Rex.

*I mention this not to draw any analogies or to suggest that kilt-wearing is cross-dressing, but rather to highlight an emerging progressive attitude toward people's differences.

[GMan]

Very nice to hear Rex.

[SteveB]

Rex,
I admire your attitude. The kilt is a garment that is unique in the messages it can send, based on the receiver of the appearance of a kilt. Wearing "professional attire" for the everyday activity of your responsibilities is a sound move for the position you hold.
When the rare occasion arises where a more dressed down function is planned the "kilt casual" has its place. By wearing the "kilt casual" to this event, you have delivered a very opportune presentation to your organization of a different style of office attire, as well as promoted yourself as quiet leader in the competitive work environment. You mentioned the organization has enabled the transgendered community to dress as appropriate. The wearing of the kilt for an event like this introduces other cultural aspects of the greater community without making it an "issue". The fact that you will be in the office in trousers for your everyday function, gives it much more weight then making it the everyday in your face type of action. This is to be commended. A single introduction to the American style of kilting, may make a lot more headway then the everyday kilted attitude could possibly endure.
My respect for you is increased by this noble gesture to your work community. May the water cooler comments draw an interest on their own from seeing a man comfortable in what he is wearing (kilted).
Slainte

[646guy]

Awesome on the kilting! I'm very fortunate that I can wear kilts to work every day and definitely do not take it for granted as I know that if I ever change jobs I may never have the opportunity again.

[Riverkilt]

HR people love diversity...and especially concrete examples they can point to if they're audited by someone else to "prove" they practice diversity.

Ron