Hi everyone.
I'm stuck in a situation and don't know what to do.
Some years ago I worked in a Kilt hire shop in Glasgow.
it was an okay job, but only stayed during the summer season before Uni started again, I could have stayed on working Saturdays during term time but was, to put it bluntly horrified at the way the returned Kilts were dealt with before being re-hired out, so I chose not to accept the offer.
Fast forward a couple of years, I am fully qualified but had a little surprise called Sofia 2 years ago who we love dearly.
I wanted to contribute to our income, only part time so we have a better life, it will be a few years before I take up my career.
My Sister in law (Brothers wife) got me a position in a North East kilt shop (chain) before I even had the chance to think about it.
It will be different I thought as this time it is a chain I work for, more shops, better standards etc, how wrong could I be?
Here in Scotland, Our men take great pride in 'Going Commando' (No underwear) when wearing the national dress, Our men also, most of the time get very, very drunk!
The disgusting mix of urinal/seminal/faecal stains that come as standard when men get drunk and wear no underwear are not a pleasure to deal with on a Monday (returns day) One of my jobs being the newest member of staff is to check the insides of the kilts for 'Skid marks' We are trained to tell customers that all kilts are cleaned before re-hire, a downright lie (understatement) If they are so stained it will be noticeable to the next customer only then do they get the quickest dry clean (hand held steamer)
When I questioned this practice because I was concerned not only regards the hygiene but am genuinely worried regards pubic lice when outfits are returned in the morning only to be re-hired straight away in the afternoon, I was given a telling off for being such a girl and told that company standards are what they are.
All customers are banned from going commando, but sadly we know full well that only around 2 in 10 follow this stipulation.
My problem is this, My DH's brother is getting married next year and now there is talk of all the men wearing matching kilts including my DH, they have already come to me regards a discount, my DH is flat out refusing to have any of my works kilts near his body because he knows how unhygienic they are.
One of the ushers is friendly with the shop managers son so my DH doesn't want to say why he doesn't want to wear a hire kilt to any of them or it is going to cause trouble for me at work, because word will get back.
Because my manager knows there is a wedding she is now almost bullying me into getting them to use our shop for hire, and because of the way she made me feel when I complained regards the lack of hygiene I know I'm going to have a tough time if they don't.
To help me out my husband has agreed if the future Mr & Mrs are set on hiring kilts for the Groomsmen then he will buy the whole outfit so as not to make a fuss.
But my concern is now that they do hire from us, but someone either sees or smells that the outfit is less than hygienic or worse.
They blame me for it when they find out I knew what goes on and my manager will make my life a living hell when they complain.
I'm really not good at confrontation at the best of times and dread the thought of being to blame and ruining the wedding.
To add to my dilemma my DH is starting Uni in September and so cutting his working hours so he can do this, all because I am now working.
I work in a smallish town where everybody knows everyone and if I am blamed for any upset my manager would make my job miserable (she has done it before to others) just so I leave and would take great pleasure in giving a bad reference should I need one for a new job (has also done this).
Any advice welcome thanks.