What's happened
The Department of Defense has concluded its 'What You Did Last Week' initiative, which required civilian employees to submit weekly accomplishments. The final request asked for one idea to improve efficiency. This initiative, overseen by Elon Musk, aimed to enhance accountability but faced criticism regarding its effectiveness.
What's behind the headline?
Overview
The conclusion of the 'What You Did Last Week' initiative reflects ongoing tensions between efficiency and employee morale within the federal workforce.
Key Points
- Employee Feedback: Many employees expressed relief at the end of the weekly emails, citing time savings that could be redirected to actual work.
- Management Concerns: Critics argue that the initiative may have fostered a culture of surveillance rather than genuine accountability. As noted by Mara Karlin, running the Pentagon like a business could overlook the unique risks involved in defense operations.
- Future Implications: The shift away from mandatory weekly updates may signal a broader reevaluation of performance management in federal agencies, potentially leading to more trust-based approaches.
Conclusion
The end of this initiative could pave the way for more effective performance management strategies that prioritize employee well-being alongside accountability.
What the papers say
According to Business Insider UK, the Pentagon's initiative was met with mixed reactions, with some employees appreciating the accountability it fostered, while others felt it was an unnecessary burden. Jules Hurst III, the acting undersecretary of defense, emphasized the need for one last input from employees to improve efficiency, indicating a shift in focus from weekly accomplishments to actionable suggestions. Meanwhile, the NY Post highlighted Elon Musk's controversial management style, which included threats of termination for non-compliance with the email requests, raising questions about the balance between efficiency and employee rights. This contrast illustrates the complexities of implementing business-like efficiency in government operations.
How we got here
Launched in February 2025, the initiative required federal employees to email their weekly achievements. It was part of a broader effort to increase efficiency within the Department of Defense, led by Secretary Pete Hegseth and supported by Musk's Department of Government Efficiency.
Go deeper
- What were the main criticisms of the initiative?
- How did employees react to the end of the program?
- What might replace the weekly accomplishment emails?
More on these topics
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Elon Reeve Musk FRS is an engineer, industrial designer, technology entrepreneur and philanthropist. He is the founder, CEO, CTO and chief designer of SpaceX; early investor, CEO and product architect of Tesla, Inc.; founder of The Boring Company; co-foun
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The United States of America, commonly known as the United States or America, is a country mostly located in central North America, between Canada and Mexico.
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The United States Department of Defense is an executive branch department of the federal government charged with coordinating and supervising all agencies and functions of the government directly related to national security and the United States Armed Fo