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7th February 08, 02:46 AM
#21
When the dress code says "no jeans," that means "no jeans." It's not up to individuals to reinterpret a clear policy just because they encounter a situation that they don't understand. That doesn't mean that there is no work involved in helping others understand why your choices should be considered professional and in adherence with the policy if an objection is raised.
The dress code at my last company had specific instructions for men and women. Even so, it was the prevailing culture that applied more than the policy. I was reprimanded once for wearing an earring (I forgot to take it out from the weekend), but there was nothing in the policy prohibiting that. Meanwhile, the code was very clear that women should not wear sandals or open-toed shoes without also wearing hose, but that policy was violated with wanton abandon throughout the office (even by the HR staff, who, when made aware of this apparent violation, considered rewriting the policy to suit their own preferences).
If there's one thing I've learned after being employed for the last twenty-some-odd years, it's that managers just hate dealing with inter-personnel squabbles. Frankly I think the failure lay with the first supervisor (of the affronted person), who really ought to have advised the person to speak with you about their concerns. So, how did you leave it with the supervisor? Were you banned from wearing the kilt, or just informed that someone had a problem with it? With a cool head, I'd offer to work with anyone who has a concern and the agency's administrators to help bring clarity to this somewhat new situation.
Let us know how it goes.
Rex.
At any moment you must be prepared to give up who you are today for who you could become tomorrow.
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7th February 08, 05:49 AM
#22
I thank you all for the warm welcome and friendly replies. Riverkilt, I'm with you. My real problem isn't in that someone is trying to tell me that I can't wear one particular type of garment. My problem is that an agency which supposedly embraces diversity and tries to "understand people where they are at in life" has no business telling me that this form of dress is inappropriate. My other real problem lies in the unprofessional manner in which the first supervisor, as well as the complainer, handled the situation. As I said before and I'll say again. I know that dressing differently could have a negative impact on my practice with my clients. For that reason I always dress as conservatively as possible for my first initial visits with a new client. After that period I gauge a person's receptiveness to me, and will dress accordingly in the meetings that follow. I have to view this situation for what it is; discrimination.
I am about to have a meeting with my colleagues which will likely center around this issue. I will be keeping you folks updated.
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7th February 08, 05:54 AM
#23
Firstly from South Wales UK! 
I am fortunate to never have had to deal with such an issue in a professional situation and only had one woman who was offended by my kilt (she was in trousers) so when she said I was dressed "like a woman" I replied "Madam you are the one in trousers so if I wanted to be "dressed like a woman" I would have to wear trousers too."
But I do have experience of petty jealousies and rivalries and favouritism and backstabbing amongst members of staff and am inclined to think that this has arisen in this area where any excuse was better than none.
Precedence - the number of times you have been kilted or skirted or whatever without complaint could well work in your favour.
[B][COLOR="Red"][SIZE="1"]Reverend Earl Trefor the Sublunary of Kesslington under Ox, Venerable Lord Trefor the Unhyphenated of Much Bottom, Sir Trefor the Corpulent of Leighton in the Bucket, Viscount Mcclef the Portable of Kirkby Overblow.
Cymru, Yr Alban, Iwerddon, Cernyw, Ynys Manau a Lydaw am byth! Yng Nghiltiau Ynghyd!
(Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Cornwall, Isle of Man and Brittany forever - united in the Kilts!)[/SIZE][/COLOR][/B]
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7th February 08, 06:48 AM
#24
Welcome to the rabble. The one thing that really stood out in my mind when I read your first post was the person complaining said "If he can wear kilts, I can wear jeans" or some such.
To me that sounds like they were just looking for something to throw up in the boss' face to try and get the rules relaxed so they can wear their casual jeans. And you just happened to be there, in a kilt, and they saw that as an opportunity.
So it may not be anything personal against you, but to them your kilted attire stands out the most.
Or I could be blowing smoke out my a@$. Who knows.
By the way, I like the quote in your signature. That's a great song from one of the best albums of all time.
Sapienter si sincere Clan Davidson (USA)
Bydand Do well and let them say...GORDON! My Blog
" I'll have a scotch on the rocks. Any scotch will do as long as it's not a blend of course. Single malt Glenlivet, Glenfiddich perhaps maybe a Glen... any Glen." -Swingers
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7th February 08, 07:51 AM
#25
Jamie, I can never understand the time, effort and money put in by governments and organisatons in the western world to preach diversity and equality and to treat every person as an individual. It seems that it is all good sound bytes and the collection of brownie points to these organisations but how often do we see it in practice. As soon as someone wants to show that he is an individual and not a member of some colective herd, he or she are torn apart by criticism for their attempts to individualise and be different.
I admire your strength and determination to be your own man and do your own thing.It would be a funny and boring old world if we thought and dressed alike
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7th February 08, 08:11 AM
#26
First, 
I agree with beowulf67; the other person was trying to use you in your kilt to achieve their own ends of wearing jeans. Unfortunately, an inappropriate management response has exploded the situation beyond reason and it has now landed on you.
Take a deep breath, know the policies, become best friends with HR, always be polite and sincerely constructive when educating others about the kilt. In this situation, the kilt is a red herring distracting others from the issue. And most of all, do your job.
I've found the higher educated and more professional the office, the more subtle the discrimination becomes. A calm, focused approach always makes the others look more hysterical.
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7th February 08, 08:20 AM
#27
Jamie, is it possible that people you work with don't see your kilt as any different than the skirts you have said you've worn to work before? 
It's pretty clear what a yamulke and a cross signify to almost anyone in the world. A kilt on the other hand can mean a lot of things to the uneducated or ignorant. Some people don't see a kilt any differently than a woman's skirt. Some won't see your heritage or culture when you wear it but something else entirely. We have the benefit of forums like this and a desire to educate ourselves about kilts but some people don't know anything about kilts, sporrans, etc.
As was said before, they may also be singling you out for their own reasons. Nothing surprises me about the workplace, the drama can rival most daytime soaps. Betrayal by co-workers hurts even worse- been there, done that. Just don't jeopardize your job to wear your kilt at work...you've got the other 16 hours a day and weekends to wear it.
Hang tough. Hope things work out for you.
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7th February 08, 08:45 AM
#28
Jamie Take Riverkilt's advice he has been through this and there was lots of advice on his posts.
From the Mts. of Utah

MrBill
Very Sir Lord MrBill the Essential of Happy Bottomshire
Listen to kpcw.org
Every other Saturday 1-4 PM
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7th February 08, 10:03 AM
#29
 Originally Posted by Jimmy
Jamie, I can never understand the time, effort and money put in by governments and organisatons in the western world to preach diversity and equality and to treat every person as an individual. It seems that it is all good sound bytes and the collection of brownie points to these organisations but how often do we see it in practice. As soon as someone wants to show that he is an individual and not a member of some colective herd, he or she are torn apart by criticism for their attempts to individualise and be different.
I admire your strength and determination to be your own man and do your own thing.It would be a funny and boring old world if we thought and dressed alike
Jimmy, it's really easy to understand.
Most of the people behind "diversity" training and laws, etc believe that true diversity is when everyone else thinks just like they do. These are usually the same types that proclaim "Free speach is a right-but you can't say anything that might offend someone!"
We now return you to your regularly scheduled thread, already in progress....
Sapienter si sincere Clan Davidson (USA)
Bydand Do well and let them say...GORDON! My Blog
" I'll have a scotch on the rocks. Any scotch will do as long as it's not a blend of course. Single malt Glenlivet, Glenfiddich perhaps maybe a Glen... any Glen." -Swingers
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7th February 08, 11:52 AM
#30
I will be curious as to the outcome of your meeting.
Good luck.
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