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I frequently come across people who go no further than the text defining rules and who try to enforce said rules without taking into consideration the circumstances behind rule offenses or the potential reasons why the rule was put into effect to begin with. I can imagine that not being a precise enough definition, so here is an example:

Management in an imaginary software development company with a limited number of office computers puts a rule into effect prohibiting employees from coming to work when they're not scheduled to in an attempt to ensure there are always open computers available. PersonA (who is not scheduled to work) needs to give PersonB (currently working) a flashdrive, and plans to leave the office immediately after giving it to PersonB. PersonA arrives at the office, but PersonC refuses to let him/her into the building, even after PersonA explains that he/she just needs to drop something off. PersonC states that "rules are rules" and "they cannot be broken under any circumstance" without any consideration for why the rule exists and the circumstances regarding PersonA "breaking" the rule.

Regardless of whether or not that viewpoint of rules is right/wrong and what PersonA could have done differently (e.g. give the flashdrive to PersonC to give to PersonB), is there a term respectful enough to be used in a workplace discussion that describes that way of thinking regarding rules that's more manageable than "person who regularly enforces rules verbatim without any consideration for circumstances"?

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    The person practices legalism. They may therefore be called a legalist, except that legalist already carries other shades of meaning.
    – Lawrence
    Commented Apr 25, 2016 at 10:52
  • 1
    I might say "literalist".
    – Hot Licks
    Commented Apr 25, 2016 at 12:05
  • Re. "respectful enough to be used in a workplace discussion" : are you seeking unambiguous criticism or a subtler approach requiring reading 'between the lines'?
    – k1eran
    Commented Apr 25, 2016 at 19:14
  • Unambiguous criticism.
    – Drew
    Commented Apr 25, 2016 at 19:15

5 Answers 5

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Consider stickler

one who insists on exactness or completeness in the observance of something: a stickler for the rules

Merriam-Webster

The term is used for rigid adherents for things beyond formal recorded requirements, such as manners, customs, etc.

Similarly pedant

A person who is excessively concerned with minor details and rules or with displaying academic learning.

Oxford Dictionaries Online

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    Out of all the answers posted, "a stickler for the rules" is probably the most concise way to get the point across immediately. Some of the other answers mention words that would require more context than just the word, but "rule stickler" would be instantly obvious, which is why I marked this question as the answer. Thanks!
    – Drew
    Commented Apr 25, 2016 at 19:14
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Disciplinarian is the word you should use in scenarios where you want to point to a Martinet but with respect. Refer to this definition of Disciplinarian on vocabulary.com

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Such a person would probably not be offended by being referred to as “a strict constructionist {of the rules}”
(example usage from ‘[The Senate] Committee on Civil Service and Retrenchment’ via ‘Google Books’)

strict constructionist
one who favors giving a narrow conservative construction of a given document or instrument [including the/a text defining rules?]; …

(from ‘Merriam-Webster’)

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  • I have never heard this used outside of a Constitutional context.
    – Azor Ahai -him-
    Commented Apr 26, 2016 at 1:21
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In British English, we would say he is a jobsworth.

noun (informal) a person in a position  of minor authority who invokes the letter of the law in order to avoid any action requiring  initiative, cooperation, etc.

Word Origin C20: from it's more than my job's worth to …

— Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 

It's informal disapproving according to CAL's definition.

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Sclerotic: becoming rigid and unresponsive; losing the ability to adapt.

Inflexible, seems to be more appropriate for the workspace setting.

Bureaucratic perhaps?

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