WHY do I have to ask?

**emolas** · 24th August 07, 03:29 PM

Originally Posted by BozemanboB

In the interest of safety, loose clothing and jewelry, including ties, necklaces and bracelets are prohibited in the production and growth areas of the plant.

That might be a bit of a problem there. I don't know what kind of machinery you work near but I can just see the havoc created if you turn around quickly and your pleats swing into some gears. All in all, the dress code looks fairly lenient and I don't think you should have a problem (unless a coworker has a problem with it). I would (and did) wear it without asking and then make a case for wearing it only if they have a problem with it.

**ChromeScholar** · 24th August 07, 04:29 PM

That's the nice thing about being the boss. I get to set the dress code. I've asked myself if I can wear a kilt to work. So far, I'm being a total jerk and telling myself no, just to prove my superiority to myself. I'll wear myself down eventually, though. And if not, I'll go see my union rep. He'll file a grievance against me, and then I'll have to give myself permission.

**ardchoille** · 24th August 07, 04:40 PM

Originally Posted by ChromeScholar

That's the nice thing about being the boss. I get to set the dress code. I've asked myself if I can wear a kilt to work. So far, I'm being a total jerk and telling myself no, just to prove my superiority to myself. I'll wear myself down eventually, though. And if not, I'll go see my union rep. He'll file a grievance against me, and then I'll have to give myself permission.

I love posts like this

**pdcorlis** · 24th August 07, 04:43 PM

It is always easier to ask for forgivness than ask for permission.

**Alaskan Kilted Guy** · 24th August 07, 04:56 PM

Ok, I am going to go against the grain a little here for discussion and another point of view.

1. All employees shall maintain personal cleanliness and grooming habits that reflect a professional image for both the employee and the company. Who gets to determine what "professional" is? You, the employer, your boss, the HR dept.?

2. If you were the boss, and one of your employees/subordinates came to work wearing a garment that could possibly be determined to be inappropriate or unprofessional, how would you deal with it?

3. Are you willing to see what kind of fallout occurs when you don't ask permission.

Food for thought. I don't know if you read my thread on this earlier, but I wore my kilt to work for the first time yesterday, and had cleared it with my boss, who happens to be the HR Director beforehand. It went great. I would be concerned that if I hadn't and someone complained or made any deal of it, he would have been blindsided, and this allowed him to say, "I allowed him to do that." It makes him feel "in the loop" and in control of the situation.

**Coinneach** · 24th August 07, 04:58 PM

Beyond what they have put down in black and white about the dress code, you just have to evaluate what the corporate culture is there. If they play it conservatively, and by that I mean, they don't like much change, then they might have an issue. If they tend to be more open to change and new ideas, then it might not be an issue.

I'm assuming that have a dress code because of the machinery in the area and they are covering themselves legally. If that's the only issue, then I don't see a problem since skirts are allowed. The way it's written the code only asks for people to dress professionally.

**fluter** · 24th August 07, 05:04 PM

And sometimes it's better to ask permission than forgiveness. :-) You choose.

Since I began acquiring kilts, I've been changing to a kilt when I leave the office on a fairly regular basis. I've shown my boss most of my kilts as they arrived, and he's jealous: he has a very nice tank that no longer fits him.

In our current 3-week heat wave, I've been wearing a kilt most days to walk to and from work (3/4 mile) and to lunch (1/2 mile each way). I understand some folks have asked "why's Ken wearing a kilt?" to which the manager of another group next door replied "It's bleeping hot out there, that's why!"

August 23rd, Wallace Day, I wore my Wallace USA semi-trad all day. I didn't even have to tell the boss why, he already knew! Since I work in the computer center, I did have a pair of troosers along in case icicles formed on my knees. Must admit, there have been days when it felt good to don a pair of khakis over my long woolen hose.

**ChattanCat** · 24th August 07, 05:14 PM

I agree, wear it. I don't have enough kilts in my closet to make wearing a kilt to work worthwhile. I just don't want to have a one kilted day, need to mix it up with some different tartans. So, I have to make a few more before I (the kilts) come out of the closet.