An employee’s explicit resignation email to HR, featuring personal activities instead of a work report, has gone viral. Elon Musk pointed out an inconsistency in the controversial email. This incident comes amid debates over Musk’s influence on federal workforce policies, involving mandatory weekly accomplishment reports, and a potential SpaceX contract shift for air traffic communications.

Federal workers were already stressed about Elon Musk’s new demand to justify their jobs, but one employee decided to submit the ultimate letter—one that was more NSFW than HR-approved. Instead of the usual five bullet points of accomplishments, they sent a list of highly personal activities, ending with a clear message: “Go ** Yourself.”*
The viral post, purportedly an email to HR, listed explicit details of personal activities in place of a standard work report.
Musk reacted to the post by pointing out an inconsistency, saying, “Ahem, we said 5 items and that’s only 4.”
The incident comes amid controversy over Musk’s involvement in the federal government’s workforce policies. Recently, a directive was issued requiring employees to submit five bullet points summarising their weekly accomplishments or face potential job termination. While the Office of Personnel Management initially suggested compliance was voluntary, later guidance implied possible consequences for non-responsiveness.This approach mirrors Musk’s management tactics at his own companies, where he has pushed for high accountability and frequent performance evaluations. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the policy, saying over a million federal employees had already complied and the administration was working as a “unified team.”
However, the policy has sparked confusion and resistance among government workers, with some fearing retaliation for non-compliance. Reports suggest that many employees were left uncertain about whether the requirement was mandatory, leading to mixed responses. One anonymous worker admitted submitting their report simply to avoid repercussions.
Musk has been vocal on X about his stance, calling the request “utterly trivial” and criticising those who failed to comply. He also shared news of rising unemployment in Washington, posting, “The DC swamp is actually draining.”
The controversy surrounding Musk’s role in government operations extends beyond workforce policies. His company, SpaceX, is reportedly in the running to replace a $2 billion federal contract currently held by Verizon for modernising air traffic communications. Concerns have been raised about conflicts of interest, with some experts questioning Musk’s access to government decision-making processes. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has already begun testing Starlink terminals at its facilities, a move seen as a prelude to a potential contract shift.
Musk’s influence within the Trump administration has drawn criticism from both Democrats and some Republicans, with polling indicating that a significant portion of Americans view his involvement in government as concerning. Despite this, his allies maintain that his presence is necessary to drive efficiency and accountability within federal operations.