Kilts in the office

[A Dhuglas]

What a thread! I've been out of the loop for quite some time and this one caught my eye.

KCW - I feel your pain. My ramble begins...

I'm with a large financial info outfit here in NYC. We, too, are in the 'Top 3'. My group just moved offices from the West Village to the company's Wall St. area site and there's a palpable difference in the atmosphere. In the West Village you'd need to dangle live animals from your nipples to get the general public to turn its head. Not so in the land of Big Money.

I'm in the 'product management' end of things here so my interaction with the world is limited. After my first wearing of the kilt in April at a buddy's wedding I was hooked and, before returning the rented outfit, I wore it to the West Village office. Some snickers, double-takes, "Where's the parade?", etc. but nothing bad. A couple of kilts entered my wardrobe and cycled through the office when I felt like wearing them.

My manager has known me for over five years now so our relationship is stable. She knows I'm quiet, even-keeled, etc. She usually chuckles when she sees me in the kilt, breaks my chops a bit and gets her Irish-heritage tweeked in turn.

Chalk it up to hitting 40 last year, our West Village locale or spite but I didn't run my intent to wear a kilt past HR. Factor in the company's Great White North and UK roots. Considering the degree to which the world is pussyfooting to 'politcal correctness' in all aspects of life, I believe HR is the last group who would launch an attack. There is so much focus on diversity that one middle-aged white dude in a kilt probably isn't a big concern.

Our "business casual/professional appearance" dress code specifies what one cannot wear. A kilt is not among the entries. Is it 'professional?' I don't think any corporate entity really wants to try to define that term -- it's far too subjective and open to interpretation based on one's own perspective. My kilts are worn with the same attention to appearance - if not even more attention - I give to trousers.

I figure my chances of successfully defending myself from corporate attack are pretty good.

Now that we're in the Wall Street area I did feel more eyes, etc. when out and about and in the office. One fellow on my floor - African-American - busted my chops but failed to get the rise he apparently desired or land the dig he attempted. He also received no answer to how he should come to the office in African dress and the both of us pay a visit to the executive floor.

My $0.02: I think you're going down the right path. I join in any advice re breaking HR's attempts to lump the kilt in with cultural/religous wear subject to limitations of wearing. While 'cultural' is legitimate, the kilt is not a costume and should not be construed as such. Just because it's new to the American business arena doesn't mean it's abnormal.

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

A_Dhuglas,

Thanks for the support. I also sent you a PM.

I sent the following note to HR today:

HR,

I got your voice mail and while I don't know whether this Friday is a specific Scottish, Irish, Welsh, or Celtic holiday, it is possible given the number of saints, celebrations, historical events, etc. that are represented by those countries.

I am not looking to wear a kilt as a costume to celebrate a special day, (which I would expect to be covered by our Diversity policies), but as a professional article of clothing. I reviewed both the "International Corporate" and the "North American" dress code policies and they do not prohibit it. I just wanted to give you a heads up in case somebody had questions.

Does this clarify my initial email?

Thanks!
RJI

No response yet. We will see what tomorrow brings.

RJI

[Alan H]

If you ask me, that was a VERY well-written e-mail you sent to HR. Good on ya!

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

If you ask me, that was a VERY well-written e-mail you sent to HR. Good on ya!

Aaahhh! To bask in the glow of admiration from my kilted brethren!

RJI

[Southern Breeze]

Heres a thought for you.If every thing goes well kiltwise,don't forget your sgian dubh.They work quit well as letter openers.

[GMan]

With an e-mail like that, you will be kilted in the office by 2005! Then you would have to change your signature.

Well done!

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

With an e-mail like that, you will be kilted in the office by 2005! Then you would have to change your signature.

Well done!

Glen, I can only dream! When I originally joined Xmarks and put together my sig, I wanted to be realistic and not fantastic. However, as I go through this process, I realize that it really should not take an overly long time to complete. So in honor of your noticing it, I AM changing my sig and goal!

RJI