A Foot In the Door?

[Reggie]

My meeting with Human Resourses and the dress code board went pretty well. The board consisted of one male President and two female Vice Presidents of Human Resourses. Even though the meeting was scheduled for 4:00, it was awhile before we all conviened in a small conference room. I wore khakis, long sleeve dress shirt and tie. Not too formal. The Pres was in a tie, both ladies in pant suits.
I started out apologizing if I had offended anyone by wearing my kilt on St Patricks Day, and the pres adamantly said that no-one had expressed any offense, but rather....surprise. They also knew that I had received prior permission from one of my bosses, so I hadn't done anything wrong. They appreciated the fact that I approached them to discuss the dress code issue , instead of showing blatant disregard, which they see everyday in just about every department. While they were on the subject, they were very clear to tell me that alot of work and thought had gone into the dress code, and they didn't just arbitrarily throw out a bunch of rules, but had spent endless time effort and study in producing it. Their main concern was, and is, how we, as an institution, are perceived by the public, and that is the main focus of the dress code.
I expressed understanding of the importance of proper dress in a professional setting, and said that I was very happy at my job and with the company. Their institution had retrained me in my profession after having been recalled for two years in the military, and would always be grateful and loyal for that alone, if nothing else. Mainly I was requesting clarification on one or two points.
I produced a picture that one of my collegues had taken that day. It showed me wearing an SWK Nightstalker, black kilt hose, shiny black dress shoes, white button down collar long sleeve shirt, black sleeveless pullover sweater, green tie just showing at the top of the sweater, and black sportcoat, with nametag on lapel (and fresh haircut). They seemed quite impressed, as though they had formed some quite different picture in their minds. They all agreed that I looked quite professional, and wanted to know if I had received any negative responsed from the patients. I said other than the expected good natured ribbing from one or two of my collegues, I received only positive comments. I said that one patient stated that our company must show great sensitivity to cultural and ethnic diversity and that it was good to see another Irishman . Of course, that was something that I read here at X-Marks, but thought it sounded good, and it made them all smile.
I mentioned that I had strong Scottish/Irish ancestry (not), and I wanted to request permission to wear the kilt on special days that celebrate my heritage , like St Andrews Day, and National Tartan Day, and St Patricks Day. Probably only four of five days per year.
Well, they all agreed that it wouldn't pose a problem with them, but they were going to leave the final decision to my immediate supervisor. They would e-mail him with their recommendations that it be allowed, but only on those special days. And I must agree to abide by my supervisors final decision. I agreed. They requested that I submit to them a list of what the special days are called and the specific dates, and submit one to my immediate supervisor. The President then said that, should I received the final permission, they would love for me to drop by and show them my kilt.
Handshakes and pleasantries were then exchanged, and I made my exit.
So now I must produce a list, without going overboard, of days that would be proper for kilt wearing. I'll need help with that from you wonderful folks. I am sadly ignorant of Scottish history, and it might be closely scrutinized. Also, I need to persuade my immediate super to allow it. I think he will, with the board recommendation and all. I will be preparing for that encounter all week-end.
So all in all I think it went pretty well. It looks like I will at least get my foot in the door pretty soon.
My sincere thank-you to all of you for the comments, advice, and support. I felt like you were all there with me in spirit. I really believe this is a watershed moment for this area, and who knows where it will lead.

Highest regards to all,

Reggie

PS. My wife is so great. She reads alot and always has a quote at the ready. She knew I was worried about this meeting and on the way out the door she gave me a hug and said "Remember Reg, courage is just fear that has said it's prayers." I thought that was pretty cool.

[Southern Breeze]

It's good to hear things went well for you.Making a list of days is simple, wear it only on days ending with Y.

[Heath]

good show! sounds like things went well!

[pdcorlis]

I could not be happier for you - well done! It occurs to me you might want to pick up a book to learn some Scottish history - since folks may be interesed in a few historical details to go along with your celebrations. Look at it as an opportunity to further embrace "your" culture.

Good on ya!

[Yaish]

Excellent!

Making a list that sticks to your word will be key. You told them only four or five days a year, so now you are somewhat stuck with that. I am sure you will get enough suggestions on valid Scottish/Irish holidays to wear it at least once a month if not more. Hit them up with that list though, and they might wonder what other details you underplayed or tried to sneak with.

St. Patricks Day, St. Andrews Day, Tartan Day for sure. Hogmanay gets you the work day closest before New Years too.

[The Wizard of BC]

Send each of the members of the board and your supervisor an invitation to check "www.kiltday.com" Tell them that it is the only official way to know what day a kilt should and should not be worn. Tell them you will abide by the dates on the site and only those days.

[ckelly327]

Please consider putting St. Columba's feast day on your list. He's also commonly known as St. Columcille. Here's a link to a description of his meaning to the people of Ireland and Scotland. He's a Patron Saint to both.

http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/saintc17.htm

I'm not sure of Scotland but Ireland recognizes three Patron Saints- Patrick, Brigid and Columcille. It may be a way to educate yourself a little and generate some questions from others.

Besides that, his feast day is June 9th and it will have been a couple of months since Tartan Day and you'll need a good excuse to get the kilt back on.
Congratulations - sounds like it went well.

[starbkjrus]

Excellent!

Making a list that sticks to your word will be key. You told them only four or five days a year, so now you are somewhat stuck with that. I am sure you will get enough suggestions on valid Scottish/Irish holidays to wear it at least once a month if not more. Hit them up with that list though, and they might wonder what other details you underplayed or tried to sneak with.

St. Patricks Day, St. Andrews Day, Tartan Day for sure. Hogmanay gets you the work day closest before New Years too.

To this I would add St. David's Day (March 1st.) and Robert Burns' Birthday (January 25th.) These would all be cultural / heritage and / or religious. I don't think they'd dare deny those.

[Robin]

Congrats...this is good news, but...I also agree with Frank.

A battle won, but the war isn't over...and that's a pitty.

[Riverkilt]

Reggie,

Sorry, just realized - One of the days you put down to wear the kilt JUST HAS

to be the anniversary of the day the English forbid the Scots to wear their kilts/tartans.

Don't your bosses know they are recreating your cultural trauma? Would be like if an employer out here forbid Navajos from speaking their language or wearing their traditional garb....which a mom and pop restaurant did a couple years ago and they're still wrangling with the EEOC folks from Washington D.C.

Anyhow, maybe some of the expert historians we have on the board can provide you with the date the English forbid the Scots to wear their tartans. That's gotta be on your list!

Ron