Unwritten rules (synonyms: Unspoken rules) are
behavioral
Behavior (American English) or behaviour (British English) is the range of actions and mannerisms made by individuals, organisms, systems or artificial entities in some environment. These systems can include other systems or organisms as we ...
constraints imposed in organizations or societies that are not typically voiced or written down. They usually exist in unspoken and unwritten format because they form a part of the
logical argument or course of action implied by
tacit assumptions. Examples involving unspoken rules include unwritten and unofficial organizational hierarchies,
organizational culture, and acceptable behavioral
norms governing interactions between organizational members.
For example, the
captain of a ship is always expected to be the last to evacuate it in a disaster. Or, as Vince Waldron wrote, "A pet, once named, instantly becomes an inseparable member of the family."
Employment and discrimination
In the workplace, some unspoken rules can have a significant impact on one’s job satisfaction, advancement opportunities, and career trajectory.
In sports, Scottish football club,
Rangers until 1989 had an unwritten rule of not signing any player who was openly Catholic.
Yorkshire County Cricket Club
Yorkshire County Cricket Club is one of 18 first-class county clubs within the domestic cricket structure of England and Wales. It represents the historic county of Yorkshire. Yorkshire are the most successful team in English cricketing hi ...
also historically had an unwritten rule that cricketers could only play for them if they were born within the historical county boundaries of
Yorkshire
Yorkshire ( ; abbreviated Yorks), formally known as the County of York, is a historic county in northern England and by far the largest in the United Kingdom. Because of its large area in comparison with other English counties, functions have ...
.
See also
*''
Ius non scriptum
''Lex non scripta'' is a Latin expression that means "'law not written'" or "'unwritten law'". It is a term that embraces all the laws which do not come under the definition of written law or "'' lex scripta''" and it is composed, principally, of ...
''
*''
Lex non scripta
''Lex non scripta'' is a Latin expression that means "'law not written'" or "'unwritten law'". It is a term that embraces all the laws which do not come under the definition of written law or "'' lex scripta''" and it is composed, principally, of ...
''
*
Unenumerated rights
Unenumerated rights are legal rights inferred from other rights that are implied by existing laws, such as in written constitutions, but are not themselves expressly coded or "enumerated" within the explicit writ of the law. Alternative terminolo ...
*
Unwritten rules of baseball
There is a set of unwritten rules of baseball that some players and managers follow. The rules often concern gamesmanship and not disrespecting players on the opposing team. Incidents have occurred when one or more players interpret the actions o ...
References
{{Reflist
Logic
Rules
Rights
2001 neologisms
sv:Social norm#Oskriven regel