Federal workers across the U.S. government received an urgent email over the weekend requiring them to account for their work over the past week, with warnings from Elon Musk that failure to respond could result in termination.
The emails were dispatched shortly after Musk, who leads a new initiative focused on enhancing government efficiency, had indicated that holding employees accountable is a priority. The initiative follows a significant wave of job cuts, affecting at least 20,000 federal workers in recent weeks.
Musk stated in his communication, “In accordance with the President’s directives, all federal employees will receive an email shortly requesting a summary of their accomplishments from the previous week.” He added, “Failure to respond will be interpreted as a resignation.”
Confidential sources confirmed that the emails were sent by the Office of Personnel Management, requesting staff to respond with “approximately five bullet points detailing their achievements” while copying their managers, with a deadline set for Monday at 11:59 p.m. ET. The directive explicitly cautioned against sharing classified information.
The OPM characterized the emails as part of the administration’s commitment to an efficient and accountable federal workforce, affirming that each agency will determine any future actions based on employee responses.
Legal experts are questioning the validity of Musk’s threats. Many federal employees enjoy protections that restrict dismissals without just cause. Labor attorney Suzanne Summerlin remarked that punitive actions such as terminations linked to non-responses would likely be challenged as excessive by labor arbitrators.
“A reprimand or suspension could be viewed as proportionate,” Summerlin noted. However, some workers expressed confusion regarding the email’s implications. For instance, officials within the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency reassured staff that the OPM’s request was legitimate.
Contrastingly, a supervisor within the Defense Department advised employees to refrain from responding until receiving specific internal guidance, urging caution due to the sensitive nature of their work.
The American Federation of Government Employees has pledged to contest any unlawful terminations that may arise from this situation. National President Everett Kelley criticized the administration, stating, “This tactic once again underscores the arrogant disregard for federal employees and their vital roles in serving the American populace.”
The recent emails mark a continuation of Musk’s aggressive management strategy, reminiscent of his approach in previous leadership roles at other companies, where frequent performance reporting was standard practice.
