Tech billionaire calls working weekends a “superpower” as Department of Government Efficiency aims to reform bureaucracy.
February 4, 2025: Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has once again stirred controversy by claiming that employees at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which he leads, work 120 hours a week. In a post on X, Musk called working weekends a “superpower” and criticized bureaucratic inefficiency, stating, “Very few in the bureaucracy actually work the weekend, so it’s like the opposing team just leaves the field for 2 days!”
Also Read: Narayana Murthy Clarifies Stance on Work Hours: ‘Introspection, Not Imposition’
The comment invited mixed reactions online. While some users criticized Musk as a “terrible boss” and questioned the practicality of a 120-hour workweek, others praised DOGE’s work culture as a model for tackling inefficiency. One user sarcastically pointed out that such hours equate to working 24 hours a day for five days, labeling the claim unrealistic. Meanwhile, Musk supporters compared him to historical figures like Napoleon, praising his “genius intellect” and “prodigious work ethic.”
Also Read: Top 10 Countries With Longest Work Hours-Here Is Where India Ranks
DOGE’s Mission and Vision
Elon Musk was appointed by Donald Trump to lead DOGE as part of the administration’s effort to create a smaller, more efficient government. The department aims to eliminate corruption and inefficiency, with plans to fully implement its mission by July 4, 2026, aligning with the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
Musk previously invited applications for DOGE, seeking “super high-IQ small-government revolutionaries” willing to work over 80 hours a week on cost-cutting initiatives. While his approach has been polarizing, Musk remains firm in his belief that the work culture at DOGE sets a benchmark for the fight against what he calls “bureaucratic stagnation.”
Comparisons with Indian Business Leaders
Musk’s remarks come amidst a similar debate sparked by comments from Indian business leaders. L&T Chairman S.N. Subrahmanyan suggested a 90-hour workweek for employees, and Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy advocated for a 70-hour workweek, both of which received significant backlash. Musk’s claim of a 120-hour workweek at DOGE has added fuel to the ongoing global discussion about workplace efficiency and work-life balance.
Tags:
- Elon Musk
- Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)
- Work Culture Debate
- Bureaucratic Reform
- 120-Hour Workweek
- Donald Trump
- Small Government Vision
- Work-Life Balance
- Narayana Murthy
- S.N. Subrahmanyan