Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) became a temporary government entity on January 20, following an executive order from President Donald Trump. Though DOGE is not a traditional government agency, it works closely with the White House to streamline government operations and reduce costs.

In the short span of just two weeks, Musk has transformed the department, instilling a Silicon Valley-style work culture to reduce government bureaucracy.

Musk proudly shared on X, “DOGE is working 120 hours a week. Our bureaucratic opponents optimistically work 40 hours a week. That is why they are losing so fast.” This emphasis on long hours is a continuation of Musk's aggressive work culture, one he has applied in his other ventures such as Twitter and Tesla. 

Musk further highlighted the importance of weekend work, saying, “Very few in the bureaucracy actually work the weekend, so it's like the opposing team just leaves the field for 2 days!” A 120-hour workweek equates to working 17 hours and eight minutes every day, including weekends.

This push for extended work hours is consistent with Musk's long-established work ethic. During his takeover of Twitter in October 2022, he enforced 80-hour workweeks, prompting many employees to seek severance. At Tesla, workers have reportedly slept in the factory after 12-hour shifts. Musk himself has spoken about his own gruelling schedules, claiming that he often worked 100-hour weeks during his startups, even sleeping under his desk. Despite the intense workload, Musk has maintained that such stretches are only sustainable in the short term and not recommended as a long-term strategy.

Expert warnings
Mental health professionals, however, have cautioned against pushing employees too hard for prolonged periods. Experts have raised concerns about the potential for burnout and warned that excessive work hours are linked to serious health risks, such as heart disease and stroke.