Shorts vs kilts in the workplace

[Brasilikilt]

Hello everyone

I was employed for a short time as a stone fabricator, and was understandably replaced by a worker with much more experience than myself......that's just business

I got a call today informing me that I was accepted for a position at a tile and stone warehouse with a dollar increse in wages *YAY*
Summer is fast approaching here, and I was wondering about issues regarding shorts vs kilts in the workplace.
My old supervisor started wearing shorts to work everyday, and I jokingly made a comment saying "Don't make me come here wearing my kilt!!!"
He said that he doubs my ex-boss would really care.
I wouldn't have worn my kilt in that wet dirty shop, or on installations for fear of getting silicone or caulk smeared on my precious only kilt, but it was nice to know, for just a short time that I could have gotten away with it if I wanted to :-)


Certainly, we are all aware that kilts while having a high potential for snag hazards around machinery offer more protection than your average pair of cargo shorts.
It was explained to me that I would have a 30 day period before I was issued a company uniform......until then I would be wearing my normal work clothes.
In these modern times of tattoos, piercings, various cultural garments and long hair being widely accepted in the workplace, why not kilts???
For example, if I were an Asian Indian, or Arabic, would wearing a turban be grounds to terminate me?

It's sad to think that me showing up to work wearing a kilt might label me as an oddball or a bad worker, when we all know that a kilted worker is much hhealthier and happier for the comfort a kilt provides :-)

Let me hear your collective thoughts

Brasilikilt

[Blu (Ontario)]

My advice... get through your conditional period before (and if) you decide to make a fashion statement. Test the waters first so there are no heart attacks. I have mixed feelings about wearing my kilt to work (I've only done it once.) Then again, I have mixed feelings about wearing shorts to work as well. And yes, it is unfortunate it's an issue at all.

[Freelander Sporrano]

All the guy's were I work know I have a kilt. Last summer it was very hot here in Norway. We got a letter from head office about the wearing of shorts not being allowed due to health and safety reasons. It did'nt mention kilts. So if it becomes that hot again this year I'll be provocing a reaction.

[Alaskan Celt]

[bubba]

I expect a certain amount of the dress code might be set by Govt regulation if it involves health and safety. Gotta be careful about that. Where my wife works they have a dress code based on health and safety and if an employee violates it the company could be fined by OSHA or the FDA.

[Graham]

Shorts are virtually a national dress in Australia, they are totally acceptable as workwear.

I wear shorts in messy situations or when visiting workplaces where I'm not prepared to wear a kilt.

I have a friend who works locally in the office of a large factory who wears a kilt all the time, he tells me that if he ventures into the factory he is required by regulations to wear overalls.

My point is this, that while we might see wearing a kilt all the time as a worthwhile goal, it may not always be appropriate.

I can think of some really dirty situations where i wouldn't dream of wearing even my oldest kilt (painting for example).

I imagine stonemasonry would be pretty hard on a kilt even with a leather apron of some kind.
I wear either shorts or a kilt all the time. It is nice to have an alternative.

[Casey]

From my perspective:

I am a Manager, working in the Canadian Federal Government, in the National Capital. Wearing shorts to work, other than for some special event, is not considered acceptable dress. However, given Canada's Celtic background, I would think that wearing a kilt would be accepted if it was done in a business dress format. This I have yet to try. I am awaiting the right opportunity to sport my kilt in the office.

Casey

[Graham]

Casey I think i like the sound of Canadian culture more than Australian!

[Casey]

Graham,

In Ottawa there are all the embassies that give the city a very mulitcultural air. Along with that go all the different types of attire from all around the world. We see men other than in pants, from time to time.

Casey

[Colin]

Graham,
Canada has has a policy of encouraging visitors and new citizens to continue their cultural beliefs and practises. It is not uncommon to see many different cultures (in food, dress, language, etc) represented within one city block. A very multicultural place.

Come check us out one day.