Why Blue-Collar Workers Want White-Collar Positions

As the work from anywhere trend continues to penetrate the global workforce, more blue-collar workers are seeking to make a career shift.  

During the ongoing evolution of workplace norms, blue-collar workers have largely been left out of the conversation. However, a new study from the Oliver Wyman Forum shows that there is a growing desire for these workers to transition into positions that offer flexibility. 

“Despite being front and center during the spread of Covid-19, the well-being of blue-collar workers took a back seat,” the report stated. “Most clocked hours in person -– putting themselves and their loved ones at risk –- while they watched their white-collar counterparts migrate to comfortable and safe remote setups, with their jobs and pay protected.” 

More specifically, research from economist Brad Hershbein showed that between 6.5% and 8.4% of blue-collar workers switched to white-collar professionals in three months through November of last year. 

In the Oliver Wyman Forum study, IT industries saw the largest number of these incoming workers into their field. 

Many respondents stated that the lack of benefits was a big factor in their decision to make this career change. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed that paid sick leave was only available to 59% of service workers compared to 93% of those in management and similar professional industries. 

With this, companies have started loosening their requirements in order to make entry into the white-collar world more accessible to others. 

For instance, Insurer Aon Plc recently shed its degree requirement for certain positions and has also created its own training through a local community college. 

Across the board, demand for improved work experiences has grown as people seek a better work-life balance and fulfillment from their careers.