A new policy from President Donald J. Trump and Elon Musk has sent shockwaves through the federal workforce. Government employees are now required to submit a weekly list of tasks they’ve completed, a demand that has sparked outrage among workers accustomed to a more leisurely pace.
The directive asks employees to spend roughly two minutes compiling their accomplishments from the previous week. Failure to comply could result in termination, a threat that has left many fuming.
“This is an outrageous burden,” said Linda Grayson, a mid-level bureaucrat at the Department of Housing and Urban Development. “I signed up to push papers, not to account for them.”
The policy stems from Trump’s promise to streamline government efficiency, with Musk advising on ways to trim the fat. Sources say the pair was inspired by private-sector practices where accountability is a daily expectation.
Yet, for federal workers, the shift has been jarring. Many claim the task has nearly tripled their workload, despite data showing the average government employee spends just 2.7 hours a day on productive activities, according to a 2023 audit by the Government Accountability Office.
Across agencies, complaints are mounting. “Two minutes might not sound like much, but it’s the principle,” said Tom Carver, a veteran staffer at the Environmental Protection Agency. “Next thing you know, they’ll want us to show up before 10 a.m.”
The outrage highlights a stark divide between the administration’s goals and the entrenched habits of the bureaucracy. Last year, a congressional report found that 40% of federal employees couldn’t identify a single measurable outcome from their work. With the new system in place, some are scrambling to invent tasks to fill the void.
“I wrote ‘attended meeting’ three times last week,” one anonymous worker admitted. “It’s not my fault nothing got decided.”
Musk, known for his relentless work ethic at Tesla and SpaceX, has shown little sympathy.
“If you can’t list what you’ve done, maybe you shouldn’t have a job,” he said during a recent press briefing. The comment has only fueled the fire among employees who argue they’re being unfairly targeted.
For now, the policy remains in place, with the White House doubling down on its commitment to accountability. A spokesperson confirmed that firings could begin as early as next month for non-compliance.
“I’ve been here 22 years, and no one’s ever asked me what I do,” said Susan Patel, a clerk at the Department of Veterans Affairs.
The controversy continues to simmer as workers adjust to the unfamiliar strain of documenting their efforts. While the administration touts the move as a win for taxpayers, the grumbling from cubicles across D.C. suggests the fight is far from over.
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