"James Annan" <still_the_same_me@hotmail.com> wrote in message

> In the UK, I would happily tell the bureaucrat to fuck off,

Pfff....
That took about 20 years to stronger than you to make English administration
allow normal cars (designed to drive on the right side of the road) to drive
there without paying ransoms to insurances. At that time a friend was told
by her employer to take the bus -and not be paid any extra for the lost
time-until she pass the licence for inverted cars (at her expenses).

>Any hints and tips for a sensible strategy will be gratefully
> received.

A hint : In circus, they show bears riding tandems. People smile at them.
Does it mean an employer would be happy to be know as the guy that has the 2
funny gaigin bears ?

I'm exagerating, but not much. They are concerned with the image given by
employees, not only inside the workplace but around it. Because people in
the street can see you arrive to work. Many people that wear uniform at work
(policemen, bank employees, etc) are asked to wear suits to arrive at work,
just for that reason. Companies have the legal right to impose dress code in
such conditions. They can ban jeans, shorts, tandems...Are you sure you
never signed a contract with a line about that ?

 I have worked with a character that used a skate-board to commute. He'd
make a little figure just in front of the elevator. People were all smiling,
sometimes applauding. But in 3 days, more than 20 persons (working in the
building, customers, other staff and even total strangers...) complained,
not to him, but to the boss. We told him to stop 3 blocks before the
building and to put the board in a bag. Never heard of the problem again.
IMHO, if you parked your tandem about 1 or 2 km away from your working
place, out of sight, they wouldn't care. If you live in the same
neibourhood, you should consider moving to be free to do what you want in
your area.

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