I apologize if this is innap, I need to release steam

[Rex_Tremende]

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.

[JamieKerr]

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.

[McClef]

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.