White Collar

Business, Legal & Accounting Glossary

Definition: White Collar


White Collar

Quick Summary of White Collar


Refers to employees who perform knowledge work, such as those in professional, managerial, or administrative positions.




Full Definition of White Collar


White-collar is a term that refers to workers who are employed in an office and who do not generally do manual labour.

It comes from the idea that people in these positions traditionally wore a white-collar, and presumably a tie, to their jobs. It contrasts with the term blue-collar, which refers to a labourer or craftsman. White-collar is normally taken to mean work of relatively high prestige and high pay. White-collar workers tend to be university-educated. Examples of white-collar jobs would include the managerial, sales, clerical, or legal professions. One common use of the term ‘white-collar’ is in regard to crime. White-collar crimes tend to be non-violent crimes committed by white-collar workers, such as fraud, embezzlement, or stock manipulation.


White Collar FAQ's


What is a White Collar Worker?

A white-collar worker is an employee who is not required to do physical labor such as an office worker. A white-collar worker is usually an upper-level employee, like managers, executives, and professionals, who are paid on a monthly salary and does not receive an hourly wage.

The term white-collar comes from the stereotypical upper-level employee of the 20th century. Most upper-level employees wore white dress shirts with white collars whereas the lower level employees doing manual labor on the factory floor often had to wear traditionally blue uniforms. That’s where the white-collar, blue-collar terms came from.


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March 29, 2024 https://payrollheaven.com/define/white-collar/.
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White Collar. PayrollHeaven.com. Payroll & Accounting Heaven Ltd.
https://payrollheaven.com/define/white-collar/ (accessed: March 29, 2024).
American Psychological Association (APA):
White Collar. PayrollHeaven.com. Retrieved March 29, 2024
, from PayrollHeaven.com website: https://payrollheaven.com/define/white-collar/

Definition Sources


Definitions for White Collar are sourced/syndicated and enhanced from:

  • A Dictionary of Economics (Oxford Quick Reference)
  • Oxford Dictionary Of Accounting
  • Oxford Dictionary Of Business & Management

This glossary post was last updated: 28th December, 2021 | 0 Views.