Kilts-To-Work Strategy, Part Deux

[Bugbear]

Good luck.

[James MacMillan]

Maybe some more FORCED exposure (that doesn't sound right - you know what I mean) while kilted to your seniors also. Can you deliver something to your boss's house, while kilted. Find out where he frequently goes, and arrange to "bump" into him, while kilted.

Also, alway, but always dress well in the kilt. Never let them get the idea that it is sloppy attire. Better to dress it up for awhile, then to go too casual.

I am so glad, I don't have this problem.

Good luck.

[BozemanboB]

Thanks, all. Great ideas, um, for the most part.

The work I do: I'm a sales guy for a high-tech firm; we make optics components for infrared vision and laser systems. We have zero local customers, we have approximately two customers visit every year (with months of notice), and I'm on the road every two months visiting customers or standing in a tradeshow booth. My proposal, when I get to that point, is that I don't wear a kilt in front of customers - period. I think that's a reasonable concession to offer.

One upshot: I'm one of the most outspoken people here, but in a good way. I had a pony tail (trimmed two months ago), I have a pierced ear, and my facial hair changes periodically, I dress reasonably well all the time (nice blue jeans and button down shirts). I sometimes bike to work and people see my in spandex ("the spandex is much worse than the kilt" is what I heard at the Christmas party!). I frequently do impromptu speaches at the company-wide communications meetings, and there's copious courteous ribbing whenever I trapse through the production area. To sum it up: people generally like me, and have learned to expect the unexpected from me; when it happens they shrug it off as "that's just boB."

I don't think I like the idea of intentionally wounding myself, but I like the way you're thinking, Sister. I play ice hockey in the local adult rec-league... and there's plenty of opportunity for "injury" there!!

The employee handbook says nothing about kilts (no surprise) and it says that shorts and skirts must be of appropriate length. There's not really a greivance procedure; we're too small a company to have thought of such things.

I'll talk to our accountant to collect her thoughts...

More updates as the situation warrants, but this is an ongoing thing and progress may be slow.

Tenacity! Perseverence! Pleats!


boB

[Chef]

My proposal, when I get to that point, is that I don't wear a kilt in front of customers - period. I think that's a reasonable concession to offer.

I definitely think your boss should see you in a kilt away from work. Once that's done then you could ask about the possibility of wearing it to work occasionally. If that is successful then I think your proposal will work with your boss.

[Thunderbolt]

Or, you could do what I did...Just wear it one day.

I work at a very customer oriented retail operation. So, there was some definate potential issues. However, I wore it and not hardly a word was said. No one really cared. Sure, there was the ribbing from the closer co-workers/friends, but I expected that. Actually, I expected more flak than what I was given.

Of course, I get a lot of comments from customers. ALL positive so far. It helps that our best customer absolutly loves the kilt.

So now, I'm up to at least once a week. Sometimes two, and when I'm not at work about 90% of the time.

I say go for it. I understand the trepidation, but they can only ask you to go change, then you'd know more about where you stand. Then you could raise the "But the women can wear skirts" argument.

Kilt up and charge!

T.