White Collar

White-collar workers are workers who carry out administrative, desk or managerial work. Usually their income is rather higher, they also perform highly skilled and non-manual work. Their name white-collar workers received many years ago as throughout the 19th and 20th centuries male workers wore white dress shirts. 

The term is opposed to blue-collar workers, who usually wore blue shirts and performed manual labor, like working in plants, factories, etc. 

White-collar workers nowadays

White-collar workers are workers who usually wear shirts and ties, work in an office and, as most people think, avoid activities that involve physical efforts. They’re likely to be paid more since they usually have a decent education. However, nowadays the situation has changed and the difference is slightly notable, as the white-collar class becomes overwhelming in many advanced countries. 

The term in its modern understanding appeared thanks to the American writer and political activist whose name is Upton Sinclair. He probably was the first to utilize the term referring to administrative work. It’s worth noting that the distinction in understanding of two types of collars may say about our perception of each class of workers. 

Usually the list of best white-collar jobs comprises such jobs as software developer, services manager, civil engineer, financial manager, market search analysts, accountant, lawyer, etc. 

However, the fact is that currently many people whose jobs require a white shirt and tie aren’t that highly as it may be imagined. Moreover, such jobs can become a cause of extreme stress. This is evident within the technology and services sector. Thus, nowadays there are special organizations called white-collar workers' unions, which protect their rights. In the past, such unions were a feature of blue-collar workers. 

White-collar job requirements 

There are two main expectations from most of white-collars jobs. The first is that a job allows one to get a promotion to the position such as an executive. And the second is that white-collar workers get a higher salary and promotion in general. 

Normally white-collar employees work in an office, however, there can be several exceptions. Some kinds of work require a professional to be in the field. For example, it's necessary for workers who have to see clients or customers in person or to present at some conferences and meetings and perform there. 

Typical white-collar jobs are accountants, real estate agents, business consultants, attorneys, etc. Although this kind of work doesn’t involve much physical activity, there are some other drawbacks. For instance, a white-collar employees may be asked to work overtime, both during the working days and weekends. Sometimes, in case a white-collar worker is in a company’s upper management he or she may be called on even during vacation and non-business hours. 

For white-collar workers it’s exceedingly important not only to maintain their level of professional knowledge, but develop it. Thus, for example, an attorney always must be aware of every innovation and change in the law. An account must be aware as well, for instance, in case there are any changes in rules of reporting income. Someone like a real estate agent must keep abreast of variation in real estate prices and understand what caused it.

There is another term that involves the stated one. A white-collar crime is a type of crime, which is committed by a person with a decent economic status (middle and high), usually the purpose of such crime is a financial gain. 

Types of collars

Blue collars. Blue-collar workers are famous for their manual labor and hourly wage. They were usually regarded as working class and had a rather low social status as their work involves getting their hands dirty. Branches that involve blue-collar workers labor are manufacturing, mining, construction, etc.

There are more types of collars outside white and blue, however, they haven’t received their name from their clothes color. Also, these types aren't so frequently used as white and blue. 

Green collars. Usually it’s workers whose labor is connected to the environmental sector. The main purpose of their work is to improve conservation and sustainability. 

Pink collars. These collars usually work as receptionists, waiters, elementary school teachers, etc. The name pink is given for the reason these positions stereotypically are occupied by women. 

Gold collars. People who are called gold-collar usually work in the medical or law field. The name gold was probably given for their high income.

Gray collars. This name is quite ambiguous as it usually refers to the white-collar workers, e.g. engineers, who handle blue-collar labor.