Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has once again stirred controversy with his bold statements about work culture. His recent assertion that Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) employees work 120 hours a week has ignited a heated debate on social media. While some hailed his remarks as a call for a more efficient government, others criticized him for promoting an unhealthy work-life balance.
Musk’s ‘Superpower’ Statement and Its Fallout
Musk described working weekends as a “superpower”, claiming that bureaucratic inefficiency stems from a rigid 40-hour workweek. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he stated:
“Very few in the bureaucracy actually work the weekend, so it’s like the opposing team just leaves the field for two days!”
His comment was met with mixed reactions. While some users praised the DOGE work culture, others labeled Musk a “terrible boss” and challenged the feasibility of such extreme working hours.
Critics quickly dissected Musk’s claims, pointing out inconsistencies and questioning the impact of excessive work hours on productivity. One user sarcastically remarked:
“If employees take two days off, they’d have to work 24 hours a day for the remaining five days. So… is DOGE made up of aliens and robots?”
Some users also mocked DOGE’s official website, noting that despite employees allegedly working extreme hours, the website remains largely empty.
Despite the backlash, many social media users defended Musk, equating his visionary leadership to that of historical figures like Napoleon. A supporter posted:
“Musk has genius intellect, dragon energy, and a prodigious work ethic. He’s a hero in the fight against the swamp!”
Musk’s supporters argue that government inefficiency is a long-standing problem, and his rigorous work demands are necessary to implement Trump’s vision for a smaller, more efficient government.
Appointed by former President Donald Trump to lead DOGE, Musk has vowed to root out inefficiency and corruption. The department aims to restructure the federal government, making it leaner and more effective.
Musk has set an ambitious deadline—July 4 next year, coinciding with the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The goal is to implement radical cost-cutting measures and reduce bureaucratic red tape.
Following the US election results, Musk announced a recruitment drive for DOGE, inviting applications from individuals willing to work over 80 hours per week. He specifically sought out:
“Super high-IQ small-government revolutionaries who thrive on unglamorous cost-cutting tasks.”
This recruitment strategy has sparked further debate, with critics arguing that such demands exclude individuals who value work-life balance, while supporters see it as a necessary step toward government reform.
Work Culture Debate in the Broader Corporate World
Musk’s remarks come amid an ongoing global debate on work hours. Recently, Indian corporate leaders SN Subrahmanyan (L&T) and Narayana Murthy (Infosys) faced backlash for advocating for longer workweeks.
Subrahmanyan suggested that employees should work 90-hour weeks. Murthy called for a 70-hour workweek, arguing that India’s young workforce must put in extra effort to remain competitive. Both statements received intense criticism, similar to Musk’s remarks, reinforcing the argument that productivity should be measured by output, not hours worked.
The Future of DOGE: Can Musk Deliver on His Promises?
While Musk’s hard-driving work culture has delivered success in Tesla, SpaceX, and X, it remains to be seen if the same approach can transform government operations.
His critics argue that government structures do not function like private companies, and forcing employees into grueling work schedules may backfire rather than increase efficiency. On the other hand, supporters believe radical reform is necessary to combat bureaucracy and inefficiency.
Elon Musk’s assertion that DOGE employees work 120-hour weeks has sparked widespread debate on work culture, efficiency, and government reform. While some hail his relentless pursuit of productivity, others view his statements as unrealistic and harmful to employee well-being.
As the DOGE initiative moves toward its July 4 deadline, all eyes will be on Musk to see if his vision for a leaner, more efficient government can become a reality—or if it will face the same resistance and challenges that have plagued bureaucratic reform for decades.
