A Little Help Please. Kilts at Work Research

[turpin]

Ron, I work for the United States Environmental Protection Agency, in the Superfund Program which oversees cleanup of uncontrolled hazardous waste sites. In my current position I deal with personnel from the Department of Defense, Department of Energy, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, And State Enviromental Organizations in Tennessee and South Carolina. I have not worn pants to work since before Christmas. I have been to technical meetings with folks from all these agencies in my kilt and have had nothing but positive comments from all of them, nor have I heard of anything negative coming in to my supervisor through the back door. Those whom I consider my friends in these agencies are the most likely to give me a hard time, but in good spirit.

Ususally we are all sitting at a conference table or in some format where attention can be focused on a presentation. After folks get over their initial goofiness about me actually wearing the kilt the response is positive and then gets for gotten in the work at hand.

This job does entail particpating in and presenting at public meetings where we discuss site issues. So far I have elected to not wear the kilt at these events because the focus should be on the information and not what the speaker is wearing.

That's the story so far

[ozone]

I dont know if this is helpful or not: I wore a kilt to work 2 halloweens ago. As a doctor, I am expected to dress the part. I see people from all walks of life is Aspen: from the janitor to the CEO. The only semi-negative comment I got was from a woman who, while I was doing an EMG test on her, stated the she had trouble taking a man seriously who wore a skirt. Everyone else had nothing but positive, albeit occasionally startled, comments about my kilt.

I think rigged has a good idea: if you have your own office space where you see people, perhaps putting up pictures of kilted folks, scottish scenery, etc. would be a way of visually explaining why you wear a kilt and perhaps get your clients talking more than they otherwise would have.

Finally, another professional example. I know a family doctor in Salt lake who is an avid flyer. She and her husband go on extended trips all the time. As I am sure Cessnatowser can attest: "when travel by air, have time to spare" is a good way to stay alive in the general aviation field. Anyway, she is not infrequently delayed getting back to SLC. BUT, she has pics of airplanes ALL OVER THE OFFICE. Patients of hers instantly learn that this is her passion and understand that they might not see her on the day of their appointment because of a storm in Iowa or some such thing. She has told me numerous times that her patients are happy to hear that they were delayed in seeing her because they would rather know that she is flying safe. My point is this: she makes it abundantly clear in the office setting what her passion is all about and then people are able to understand and move on. Incidentally, she works for IHC...and if there is a more cumbersome bureaucracy in Utah, I don't know it.

[furrycelt]

if the only concern is that a client would make a pre-judgement, then that is a weak argument for wearing pants.

there are many things that could cause a client to not connect with you. your skin color, your long hair, your hair color, your gender, your height, your build, your age.... etc.

i am kilted full-time. i never see clients or the public. i'm a programmer. my boss doesn't care and actually thinks they are cool. we have a very casual environment anyway. heck, my boss brings her dog to work.

[Arlen]

I just started my new job today, but in my previous job I wore a kilt to work very regularly.
I worked for The Abbey bank in the U.K. A part of Grupo Santander, one of the 10 largest banks in the world.
I regularly dealt with workers from other offices around the world visiting my building, shareholders visiting the office etc. Not once did I have a negative experience regarding my being kilted.
I did have four or five occasions where visitors to the building commented that I looked very smart and professional compared to some of the other staff, but that they felt I seemed very comfortable and accessible because I was wearing something unusual.

[Dreadbelly]

I believe that people have evolved narrow minds so that their heads may fit up their rear ends with relative ease.

[Eujeankilt]

Ron,

I've been wearing kilts to work about as long as you have. I work as a Tecnician/Network Admin at a large community college. We have over 30,000 students here a year - from youngsters fresh from high school to 40 somethings working toward a new career to 70 somethings taking a class for fun. I am also in and out of offices of staff, faculty and top administrators. I have never had a snide comment or any evidence of disapproval for anyone in that time.

I have also taken trainings off campus and represented the college at local festivals while kilted - again with no negative comments

Of course, I dress smartly - business casual or better, so in some cases, I'm better dressed than some of my colleagues. We value our reputation for diversity in a public institution and I like to feel that I make a contribution toward that reputation.

Good luck in convincing your supervisor.


Dale

[jordanjm]

I would suggest showing
William MacIntosh - Creek Chief
If it would help look for the story of Alexander MacGillivray.

I guess what I'm saying is that by wearing a kilt, you are showing any Native American clients you have a strong connection to them on a cultural level.

[Skweres]

living in the states an all there are so many different cultures and alot of people love to remember it by wearing clothes or listening to music or anything else that it really shouldnt make a difference by what you wear, i unfortunately cant wear one at work because i work in a wear house and i kinda have to go up on lifts all day and no one really wants to accidentally see my jibblets, and there concerned slightly that i would hurt myself having my legs exposed, apparently a thin piece of khaki will stop anything from damaging my legs better than just my exposed shins......i beg to differ but they're the boss...

[ScottEPooh]

I wear a kilt regularly to work, and apart from the standard jibes from co-workers, I have had no problems. Of course, I also work in IT and have little communication with the public at work. I figure that if the employee handbook doesn't state "no kilting" then they can't take issue with it.

[Warhoover]

Ron,
Like Mowgli, I am a Network Administrator/Technician for a Community College and have worn my kilts many times to work. The first time I did I expected the usual questions etc. from the other staff in my department but most just went on their merry way like I had been doing it all the time. I deal with user issues on campus alot and I am usually out making rounds to most of our buildings mostly to make a presence and see how our staff and faculty are doing and if there any issues as we are very proactive. I have received many many compliments from the people I interact with, many saying I was more well dressed than some of our more dapper college administrators. In fact, there are now 3 faculty members I know of that wear their kilts now and then. I even showed up in the college President's office one day to deliver a new computer and he was highly complimentary. Not once have I received or heard of a complaint about my being kilted. I plan on wearing them more as my collection grows. I hope you get your issues resolved!

All the best,

Brad