work-to-rule
|work/to/rule|
🇺🇸
/wɜrk tu rul/
🇬🇧
/wɜːk tuː ruːl/
minimal compliance protest
Etymology
'work-to-rule' originates from the concept of 'working to the rule,' where 'work' means 'to perform tasks' and 'rule' refers to 'regulations or guidelines.'
The term 'work-to-rule' evolved from the practice of strictly adhering to workplace rules as a form of protest, becoming a recognized form of industrial action.
Initially, it meant 'to work according to the rules,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a form of protest by doing the minimum required.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a form of industrial action in which employees do no more than the minimum required by the rules of their contract, and strictly follow all safety or other regulations to cause a slowdown.
The workers decided to implement a work-to-rule to protest against the new policies.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/03/01 09:36