In a move raising eyebrows across federal agencies, US Office of Personnel Management officials have directed federal workers to submit a five-bullet-point summary of their weekly accomplishments. This comes amid a broader drive to slash government spending under the Trump administration, reportedly led by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
New Email Directive
The latest email, with the subject line “What did you do last week? Part II,” was sent to multiple federal agencies. It instructs employees to respond with approximately five bullet points outlining their achievements during the past week, and to CC their managers. For workers involved in classified or sensitive activities, the directive permits the simple reply: “All of my activities are sensitive.”
Officials claim that the email is part of an ongoing initiative to scrutinise job performance and justify employment, following an earlier communication that warned workers to justify their work or risk termination.
Workforce Anxiety and Confusion
While several agencies advised staff to ignore the emails, the mandate has left many federal workers anxious and confused. The latest directive, coming amid tight cost-cutting measures, has added to an already tense work environment, as employees now face repeated pressure to prove their productivity on an almost daily basis.
Administration’s Push for Efficiency
Under the current cost-cutting agenda, Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency is reportedly spearheading efforts to reduce government spending. In a previous statement, Musk described the directive as “basically a check to see if the employee had a pulse and was capable of replying to an email.” Meanwhile, on his Truth Social platform, former President Donald Trump praised Musk for his efforts but expressed a desire for even more aggressive measures.
Social Media Reaction
The directive has sparked a mix of outrage and bemusement on social media, with many questioning the need for such granular monitoring of federal employees. Critics argue that the policy may be overly intrusive and could demoralize an already stressed workforce, while supporters claim it is a necessary step toward increased accountability and efficiency in government operations.
As the Trump administration’s cost-cutting campaign intensifies, federal workers are now under increased scrutiny, facing repeated demands to justify their work in detail. With both critics and supporters weighing in on social media, the long-term impact of these measures on workforce morale and government efficiency remains to be seen.
