The modern workforce has for a long time been split between blue collar and white collar workers. This categorisation has, for years, worked and has made the distinction between employees who earn weekly wages and those with advanced professional qualifications who take home a monthly salary.
More recently, though, academics and human resources specialists have realised that relying on just two colours does not distinguish between the multitude of job types and burgeoning subcategories of worker now in the employment market.
So, new 'coloured collars' are appearing - notably pink, green, brown, grey and gold - each intended to reflect an aspect of social and economic change. And, while some of these newer designations are more apposite than others, it certainly pays to understand the major themes and to form an idea of what the future implications might be for general employment prospects, job creation and society.
According to Flora Yu Kit-yee, executive director of The Women's Foundation, Hong Kong, a charity promoting equal access and opportunities for women, the pink collar worker designates more feminine workers, but this may be a detrimental label.
That, stereotypically, means being quiet, patient and detail-minded. The many roles for this category are mostly service-oriented and, traditionally, bring low salaries and low prestige. They include jobs as elementary school teachers, nurses, home caretakers, receptionists, executive assistants and flight attendants.
'The concept of the pink collar is a result of gender stereotyping,' Ms Yu said. 'It reflects the widespread [perception] of women as people caring for others.'