Malicious compliance

Malicious compliance is the behaviour of intentionally inflicting harm by strictly following the orders of a superior, knowing that compliance with the orders will not have the intended result. The term usually implies the following of an order in such a way that ignores the order's intent but follows its letter. It is usually done to injure or harm a superior while maintaining a sense of legitimacy. A specific form of industrial action that utilizes this behavior is work-to-rule. Also known as a "white mutiny".