Work-to-rule

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Work-to-rule (also known as an Italian strike, in Italian: Sciopero bianco, or slowdown in US usage^[1]) is a job action in which employees do no more than the minimum required by the rules of their contract or job,^[2][3] and strictly follow time-consuming rules normally not enforced.^[4] This may cause a slowdown or decrease in productivity if the employer does not hire enough employees or pay the appropriate salary and consequently does not have the requirements needed to run normally.^[5][6] It is a form of protest against low pay and poor working conditions,^[3] and is considered less disruptive than a strike; obeying the rules is not susceptible to disciplinary action or loss of pay. It can also highlight rules that are technically in place but impractical and thus hamper the organization, if they were to be followed as written.

In practice, there may be ambiguous conditions – for example, a contract that requires working additional hours when necessary, or a requirement to work to operational requirements. In such cases, workers have been recommended to ask for a written direction to carry out the work, which can be used as evidence if necessary.^[7]