Dienst nach Vorschrift

Literally: “Service according to regulation”.

• IPA^(key): /ˌdiːnst naːx ˈfoːɐ̯ʃʁɪft/

• Audio

  (file)

Dienst nach Vorschrift m (strong, genitive Diensts nach Vorschrift or Dienstes nach Vorschrift, no plural)

1. work-to-rule (labour protest in which employees decrease productivity through a combination of low commitment and meticulous observation of regulations)

   Synonym: Bummelstreik (roughly)

2. (by extension, loosely, informal) a situation where an employee is unmotivated and only does the minimum of what is needed to keep the job

   Synonym: innere Kündigung (roughly)