Elon Musk Stirs Controversy with Big Return-to-Office Push for Federal Employees—And He’s Not Holding Back!

The return-to-office debate got a bit spicier last week with Elon Musk’s latest promise to make the government more efficient.

In an op-ed published by the Wall Street Journal, the billionaire appointed to head up the new Department of Government Efficiency (D.O.G.E) along with his co-lead Vivek Ramaswamy, laid out plans to reduce the overall size of the government and cut costs. And one part of that blueprint included mandating a full return-to-office for all Federal workers.

“Requiring federal employees to come to the office five days a week would result in a wave of voluntary terminations that we welcome: If federal employees don’t want to show up, American taxpayers shouldn’t pay them for the COVID-era privilege of staying home,” they wrote.

In doing so, Musk and Ramaswamy seem to be openly announcing what some critics have long argued is a disguised impetus behind strict RTO mandates: Job cuts. One survey this year of more than 1,500 U.S. managers found that a quarter of C-suite executives were hoping that return-to-office policies would encourage employees to voluntarily quit. After all, it’s certainly cheaper than having to do layoffs and pay severance.

Other CEOs have discussed potential attrition due to five-day RTO mandates. Last month, Amazon Web Services CEO Matt Garman told staffers during an all-hands meeting that it’s “OK” if people don’t want to work in an office environment because there are “other companies around.” That led many employees to sign an open letter to corporate leadership noting his remarks were “inconsistent with the experiences of many employees” and “misrepresenting the realities of working at Amazon.” Amazon CEO Andy Jassy pushed back against allegations that the company’s RTO requirement was an excuse to lay off workers and said the decision was “not a cost play.”

The Federal government is the nation’s largest employer, with over 2.2 million civilian staffers. Until now, each agency has been able to decide what workplace policy works best for them. Of the total number of Federal workers, roughly half work on-site, according to an August report from the U.S. Office of Management and Budget. While remaining employees are eligible for remote work, the report found that only 228,000, or roughly 10%, were in remote positions where there was no expectation that they work in-person. And those who have the option to work remotely spent about 60% of working hours in-person at various job sites.

It’s unclear if Musk and Ramaswamy will actually be able to implement a five-day RTO for Federal workers. And of course, the question remains: Will these CEOs return to the office themselves? That’s yet to be seen.

Related Posts

Megan Thee Stallion & Torrey Craig Drops Selfie Amidst Cheating Rumors

Chicago Bulls forward Torrey Craig recently took to social media to defend himself from accusations that he was cheating on his girlfriend. Craig has been dating rapper…

Offset Moves On? Rapper Seen Cozying Up to Stunning New Date at Nobu

Offset and his new girlfriend were spotted dining at Nobu, sparking rumors following his recent breakup with Cardi B. Offset, the rapper known for his time in…

Glamour, Grace, and Princess Diana’s Legacy: The Spencer Sisters Rule Tatler’s March 2025 Cover!

After their headline-making appearance at their cousin Prince William’s Centrepoint Awards in London, sisters Kitty, Amelia and Eliza talk about the causes (and clothes) close to their…

Justice at Last: Murdoch’s Tabloids Apologize for Invading Princess Diana’s Private Life!

News Group Newspapers expressed regret to Harry for intruding into his mother’s life “in particular during his younger years”(Left) Prince Harry at King Charles’ Coronation on May…

Prince Harry Secures Long-Awaited Apology for Princess Diana, Leaving Fans in Tears!

“I hope the little boy in him sleeps well tonight. Diana would be so proud,” one person tweeted after Harry’s legal victory. When Princess Diana tragically died in August…

Charles Spencer Reveals Diana’s Pride: ‘She’d Be Touched’ by Prince Harry’s Tabloid Victory!

A big win isn’t a truly a win until you get a note of congratulations from your uncle. ven though Prince Harry is no longer close to many of his royal…