Several federal agencies are currently determining the appropriate actions to be taken against government employees who failed to respond to an email from the Office of Personnel Management requesting a list of their accomplishments from the previous work week. A White House official stated that each agency has the authority to decide on the consequences for non-compliance.
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Chair, Elon Musk, issued a directive for federal employees to submit their weekly accomplishments via email, with a deadline set for 11:59 p.m. on Monday. Failure to comply with this request could result in termination, as stated by Musk.
Despite the seemingly straightforward nature of the task, some federal departments dealing with sensitive and classified information advised their staff to disregard the directive. President Donald Trump described this response as a 'friendly' rejection, particularly for agencies handling confidential matters like the FBI, Department of Defense, and Department of Homeland Security.
While some government officials publicly shared their accomplishments following Musk's directive, others chose not to respond. Trump praised the initiative, emphasizing its role in identifying employees who may not be actively engaged in their duties.
Elon Musk expressed disappointment over the number of employees who failed to meet the simple requirement, highlighting the importance of accountability in government operations. He also indicated that employees would be given a second chance to comply before facing termination.
In response to the situation, Musk posted a meme on social media, drawing parallels between the bureaucratic challenges faced by the government and the mythological figure Achilles being vulnerable in one specific area.
Overall, the email directive issued by Musk has sparked discussions about productivity and accountability within the federal workforce, with agencies now deliberating on the appropriate course of action for employees who did not fulfill the request.
