work-to-rulenoun [ C usually singular ]
uk/ˌwɜːk.təˈruːl/us/ˌwɝːk.təˈruːl/a form of protest in which employees do exactly what is stated in their contracts, and nothing more, in order to slow down production :
A work-to-rule is seen as a way to protest against low pay or bad working conditions.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Industrial action
- abstain
- blackleg
- cooling-off period
- demarcation dispute
- direct action
- job action
- lightning strike
- lock
- lock sb out
- lockout
- pay claim
- picket
- strike
- strike pay
- strikebound
- strikebreaker
- sympathy
- walk
- walk out
- walkout
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work-to-ruleverb
uk/ˌwɜːk.təˈruːl/us/ˌwɝːk.təˈruːl/work to rule
UK to arrange and perform a work-to-rule:
So far, the refuse collectors have not resorted to a strike but are working to rule.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Industrial action
- abstain
- blackleg
- cooling-off period
- demarcation dispute
- direct action
- job action
- lightning strike
- lock
- lock sb out
- lockout
- pay claim
- picket
- strike
- strike pay
- strikebound
- strikebreaker
- sympathy
- walk
- walk out
- walkout
See more results »
You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Work, working and the workplace