work to rule

Or work-to-rule

[wurk tuh rool]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

the act of working only according to the strictest interpretation of written requirements and regulations, as a job action or protest.
They were offered a one-off payment of $1,000 each to end their unofficial work to rule.

characterized by or consisting of working only according to the strictest interpretation of the rules of a job, as a job action or protest: Tea estate workers launched a work-to-rule campaign in which they will only pick one kilogram of leaves per day.
Yesterday, members voted to recommence a set of work to rule actions that will continue until Friday.
Tea estate workers launched a work-to-rule campaign in which they will only pick one kilogram of leaves per day.

to work only according to the strictest interpretation of the rules of a job as a job action or protest.
Thousands of teaching assistants are set to begin working to rule this Monday following a failure in negotiations.

work-to-rule

a form of industrial action in which employees adhere strictly to all the working rules laid down by their employers, with the deliberate intention of reducing the rate of working

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First recorded in 1920–25

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Examples have not been reviewed.

That would involve a "work to rule" policy and refusing to cover for absent colleagues or take on additional duties.

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After the four-day strike, Border Force staff will then work to rule and refuse to work overtime from 4 September until 22 September.

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Staff at Scotland's national exam body have begun work to rule action over a pay dispute.

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A planned work to rule by union members on Saturday has been suspended.

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They will also work to rule, which includes refusing to act-up to more senior roles.

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