Discussion on extended work hours has raged on in India over the past few years. This has largely been a result of abstruse expectations exhibited by Indian top bosses, like Infosys’ Narayan Murthy and L&T S. N. Subrahmanyan, who have demanded Indians work for 70 and 90 hours in a week.
Now, Elon Musk, arguably one of the most visible, audible and influential businesspeople in the world, has shared his thoughts on extended work hours. In fact, he cited the case of his own DOGE or Department of Government Efficiency.
In one of many posts on X, Musk said, “, “DOGE is working 120 hours a week. Our bureaucratic opponents optimistically work 40 hours a week. That is why they are losing so fast.”
DOGE is working 120 hour a week. Our bureaucratic opponents optimistically work 40 hours a week. That is why they are losing so fast. https://t.co/dXtrL5rj1K
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 2, 2025
Elon Musk Gets Schooled
Usually, Musk is surrounded by his pliant fans who laud him, on his X account. However, in this case, Musk has some hard responses, that were not necessarily kind to him.
One X user by the name Chleosl said, “Damn, my personal upper record is at somewhere 85 hours a week, but 120 hours are outstanding – in fact, in my opinion, more than 85 hours to one person is really just not sustainable. I had sometimes worked more than 95 hours in a week for a short period, and that is totally not sustainable. For my experience, 85 hours a week is maximal sustainable working hours to a single man. Cannot do 85+ in full-productivity more than two or three weeks.”
Another X user with the handle Shawna said, “This is absolutely mental. We do not exist to work. We work to live. Work is not supposed to be the bulk of your existence, and if it is, you need to get help. You clearly don’t have any relationships or if you do, you are not giving them the time and attention they deserve. Stop promoting this mindset.”
You Sound Like A Terrible Boss
Another user said, “That is all bullshit even 85 hours a week on 6 days mean 14 Hours 10 minutes without a break for lunch, with Lunch break for lunch maybe 50 minutes it would mean 15 hours plus 45 minutes commute each way is 16,5 hours in total, breakfast and dinner 1,5 hours leaves 6 hours sleep.”
You sound like a terrible boss
— JDewOnEarth08 (@jdew8onEarth) February 3, 2025
One X user sardonically quipped, with cocaine anything is possible.
Another further reiterated that the kind of world is unsustainable. One bluntly added, “You sound like a terrible boss “
In a week, there are 24×7=168 hrs.
If you work 120hrs in week (7 days) because you are not bureaucratic.
Then, per day 120÷7= 17.14 hrs By law should take 2 lunches off 30 min.
So, the daily office hrs is 18.14 hrs.
You have, 5.46hrs remaining daily to drive home to office, to…
— Teus Jocelyn (@jteus_) February 2, 2025
Another user did the math, and said the following, “In a week, there are 24×7=168 hrs. If you work 120hrs in week (7 days) because you are not bureaucratic. Then, per day 120÷7= 17.14 hrs By law should take 2 lunches off 30 min. So, the daily office hrs is 18.14 hrs. You have, 5.46hrs remaining daily to drive home to the office, to take a bath, to eat and to sleep, to take care of your family. I am hard to believe this post. And do you think someone can spend that time to work for at least 6 months?”
