U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Pentagon has officially scrapped its weekly employee check-in email requirement for civilian staff.
The move comes as part of a broader effort to streamline operations and reduce the size of the civilian workforce, with officials confirming plans to cut 5–8% of civilian roles, potentially affecting over 50,000 employees.
The now-defunct email program, informally dubbed the “What Did You Do Last Week?” initiative, had sparked widespread criticism for its perceived micromanagement and punitive undertones.
Background: The Rise and Fall of the Weekly Email Mandate
The weekly reporting rule was introduced earlier in 2025 under the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a controversial initiative led by Elon Musk and supported by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Civilian employees were required to submit emails listing five completed tasks each week.
Non-compliance was reportedly treated as voluntary resignation, a clause that drew sharp backlash from employee unions and watchdog groups.
Although the program excluded active-duty military personnel, it applied to the Pentagon’s vast civilian workforce—estimated at over 900,000 employees.
The policy was briefly suspended in February due to internal resistance and national security concerns but was reinstated weeks later.
Final Submission and Exit Strategy
For their final check-in, employees were asked to submit one actionable idea to reduce inefficiencies within the Pentagon.
This symbolic gesture marked the end of a program that many viewed as a top-down accountability experiment with limited practical value.
To manage the transition, the Pentagon has introduced a deferred resignation program, allowing eligible employees to delay their exit until later in the year.
Officials have stated that critical roles may be retained, though the exact number of affected positions remains under review.
Pentagon Employee Sentiment: Relief and Residual Anxiety
Civilian staff have largely welcomed the termination of the weekly email rule with relief. Many viewed the requirement as demeaning and redundant.
Internal forums and employee advocacy groups had long criticized the initiative for fostering a culture of surveillance over trust.
However, the relief is tempered by growing anxiety over the looming staff reductions.
There are no severance guarantees and only limited clarity on who will be retained. As a result, many employees remain uncertain about their future within the department.
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