Whirly,
A couple of pilots did start to wear them without any sort of management approval and the management with the reins at the time made no comment, although they were tight fisted when it came to suggestions that the company might contribute to the costs, but as I said they did eventually come across. Previous management I'm inclined to think would have made life uncomfortable for anyone inclined to wear a helmet by regarding them as having less than the required amount of right stuff.