Difference between blue collar and white collar
Blue collar vs white collar:
Occupations are of different kinds and according to various characteristic that these occupations bear, they are sometimes categorized in to different sections. Blue collar and white collar jobs are two such categories that occupations in today’s world are categorized as. However, confusions and prejudices ensue as to what is implied by a blue collar job or a white collar job, disregarding the fact that all sorts of occupations are essential for the development of a nation. However, in order to discard the many stigmas and prejudices that surround the blue collar and white collar jobs, one needs to be sure as to what each term stands for.
What is blue collar?
A blue collar job is usually an occupation involving manual labor and hence, a blue collar worker is someone who belongs to the working class. This may involve individuals who engage in field such as manufacturing, mining, construction, mechanical, maintenance, technical installation and many other types of physical work. The term “blue collar” came in to being as a result of the need of the manual or industrial workers to wear durable, dark colored cloths that have the ability to conceal the grease and the dirt that may stain their cloths during their work hours. While these cloths are not necessarily blue, the colors mostly chosen to be worn by these professions are navy and light blue colors. Blue collar work is often paid an hourly wage-labor while some professionals may be salaried.
What is white collar?
A white collar job is an occupation that requires an individual to work in an office environment that may involve sitting at a desk or a computer. They perform professional, managerial or administrative work of an office thereby holding a responsible position in the workplace. A white collar job has gained that name because of the need of the olden days for a worker to wear a white colored dress shirt either with or without a tie. However, the age where the traditional white shirt and the tie had been essential requirements has been faded away in to history.
What is the difference between white collar and blue collar?
It must be stated that the distinction between blue collar and white collar has its grounds based on socio-economic class distinction which was an important factor during the olden days. However, with the increasing demand for skilled workers in the world today, the stigma attached to blue collar jobs as being “dirty” jobs is slowly fading away.
A blue collar job indicates an occupation where it involves manual labor such as manufacturing, mining, construction, mechanical, maintenance and etc whereas white collar indicates an occupation where individuals are required to work in an office environment, possibly in managerial and administration positions. The color of the clothing was important in the olden days as the working class people required more durable, stain proof clothing that could withstand the stains and the spots of manual labor whereas white collar jobs required the individuals to be dressed in white dress shirts which could not be afforded by blue collar workers. However, white collar occupations require higher educational qualifications such as higher university and other educational degrees whereas blue collar occupations do not demand such educational qualifications from an individual. But then again, one cannot condemn those who have not had the chance of acquiring higher degree qualifications to blue collar jobs alone either. Also, white collar workers get the opportunity to work in better, more comfortable working environments with a lot of facilities whereas the working conditions of blue collar workers are quite harsh. It must also be mentioned that white collar workers are much better paid than blue collar workers who are mostly paid an hourly wage. But this may or may not be entirely true either as certain blue collar workers do end up getting paid much more than white collar workers at times.
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