work to rule
"Work to rule" is a form of industrial action where employees strictly follow job rules and regulations to protest working conditions or other grievances.
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Definition
C1Labor Relations
(idiomatic, protest)A strategy where workers adhere strictly to job rules, causing a slowdown in operations as a form of protest.
Example
- The employees decided to work to rule to protest the new management policies.
- By working to rule, the staff highlighted inefficiencies in the company's procedures.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "work to rule":