Ah, the dreaded dress code debate. Everyone, from CEO to temp, seems to have a strong opinion about what is appropriate to wear in the workplace, and what is not. So how do you strike the right balance in your contact center?

Well, it actually depends a lot on your specific company’s culture. If your agents are booking fun-in-the-sun vacations for callers, then a workforce dressed in shorts and flip-flops might be appropriate. But in most call centers, a more formal look is called for.

There are three basic choices, when it comes to dress code: business, casual, or uniforms. And of course, there are pros and cons to each type.

Formal business dress demands that employees look their very best each day. Men wear jackets and ties, while women also wear jackets, with nice slacks or a skirt. Business casual gives employees a little more flexibility in their choice of clothing, but the aim is basically the same – to look professional.

Contact centers that insist that their agents dress to these standards do so to emphasize and reinforce professionalism in the workplace. They realize that every employee of a company, even if they are not seen by the public, is nevertheless a representative of that company, and should always dress as such while at work. They also understand that employees’ behavior usually corresponds with the level of formality in their dress: in other words, when people are dressed up, they naturally, unconsciously, act more professionally.

But in order to get that added professionalism, these contact centers do sacrifice employee comfort. Especially when working late hours, a tie or a pair of heels can cause annoyance and discomfort, rather than professional behavior. And buying a closet full of business clothes can be expensive, too – it can be difficult for those just starting out to afford nice clothing.

Casual dress allows employees to wear what feels comfortable to them. There’s no need for them to spend large amounts of money acquiring a new wardrobe – they can wear what they’ve got in their closets.

Contact centers that allow casual dress recognize the importance of making agents feel comfortable at work. They know that, especially when working evening or weekend shifts, dressing casually can help employee morale.

But one man’s ‘casual’ can easily be another man’s ‘inappropriate.’ No matter how many times dress guidelines are shared and explained, there will always be room for interpretation, which can lead to conflict. And all the time spent discussing guidelines in meetings, putting together posters with examples of appropriate attire, and reprimanding inappropriately dressed agents and then sending them home to change takes up precious time. Studies have also shown that people do tend to speak and act less professionally when dressed casually, which can be a concern for customer service.

Finally, having a uniform requires agents to wear a company-issued outfit every day. There can be no dispute as to its appropriateness, since everyone wears the same thing.

Whether it’s a polo customized with your company’s logo or some other standard-issue items of clothing, it combines comfort with professionalism and a sense of pride in your company. Buying a uniform is not usually as expensive as buying a business casual wardrobe, and sometimes, the company even pays for the clothing.

But uniforms can also make employees feel that their individuality is being curtailed. And what is flattering on one person can look awkward on another, which can make for embarrassment.

So whether you choose business attire, casual dress, or uniforms for your contact center, make sure to weigh the pros and cons of each one first.