work to rule

American  

[wurk tuh rool] / ˈwɜrk tə ˈrul /

Or work-to-rule

noun

1. 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.

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adjective

1. 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.

verb (used without object)

1. 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 British  

noun

1. 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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verb

1. (intr) to decrease the rate of working by this means

Etymology

Origin of work to rule

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

This could lead to a "work to rule" situation, similar to what was introduced in a previous dispute during which GPs limited patient appointments to the minimum required under their contract.

From BBC • Sep. 29, 2025

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

From BBC • May 16, 2023

Although Congress is highly unlikely to permit an airline strike, disgruntled pilots could still cause disruption through "work to rule," Arthur Wheaton, director of labor studies at Cornell University, told AP.

From Salon • May 14, 2023

Workers at the refinery began a "work to rule" action at noon on Nov. 14 after failure to agree on a new contract that has been under negotiation since April.

From Reuters • Nov. 21, 2022

It became the aim of the ablest kings to restore the power of this officer, and to carry on his work, to rule and defend a united country.

From Short History of Wales by Edwards, Owen Morgan, Sir