Date April 20, 2025 | By TruthWire.News Staff
WHO: A Department of Defense (DoD) civilian employee
WHAT: Issued a formal written reprimand
WHERE: Shared anonymously on Reddit’s r/fednews community
WHEN: Incident reported in April 2025
WHY: For submitting a mandatory “5 Things” weekly report 1.5 hours late
Source: Reddit / r/fednews
A Department of Defense civilian employee has sparked outrage among federal workers after receiving a formal written reprimand for submitting a required weekly report just 90 minutes past its deadline. The incident, shared on Reddit’s r/fednews forum, has reignited debates about micromanagement and the growing pressure on federal employees to meet rigid procedural demands.
The employee, posting anonymously, detailed the situation:
“I got a written reprimand for submitting it late ONCE, by 1.5 hours. No prior infractions. They say if I do it again I could be suspended or removed.”
What is the DOGS 5 Things Email?
The “DOGE 5 Things” email is a weekly requirement for federal workers, introduced by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk. On February 22, 2025, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) emailed employees with the subject “What did you do last week?”, asking them to reply with five bullet points summarizing their previous week’s accomplishments, excluding classified details, and to cc their manager. A follow-up email on February 28, titled “What did you do last week? Part II,” made this a recurring Monday submission by 11:59 p.m. ET. Employees with sensitive roles could respond with “All of my activities are sensitive.”
Part of the Trump administration’s push to cut federal spending and workforce size, the email aims to evaluate productivity. Musk stated non-response would be considered resignation, though the emails didn’t specify penalties. The process encountered issues like bounce-back emails due to full inboxes, and some agencies, including the Department of Defense, resisted, advising staff not to reply directly. Critics, including federal unions, labeled the initiative chaotic and demoralizing, arguing it undermined morale. Some agencies reportedly used AI to analyze responses, assessing job necessity. The “DOGE 5 Things” email reflects broader efforts to increase accountability but has sparked significant push back among federal workers.
Federal Employees React: A Culture of Fear?
The Reddit thread quickly gained traction, with dozens of federal employees sharing similar frustrations and fears about what they see as a punitive shift in workplace culture. Some highlighted the futility of the “5 Things” report, while others pointed to broader implications:
Commenters also speculated that such strict enforcement could be a deliberate strategy to build documentation for future terminations, especially as federal agencies face pressure to reduce costs. One user warned:
“This is how they’re going to start trimming the workforce without RIFs (Reductions in Force). Keep an eye on the pattern.”
A Broader Trend in Federal Workplaces
The incident comes amid ongoing concerns about workforce management in federal agencies like the DoD, which employs over 700,000 civilian workers. With budget constraints tightening—evidenced by the 2023 Fiscal Responsibility Act’s impact on federal spending—some employees fear that minor procedural slip-ups are being weaponized to justify disciplinary actions or layoffs. A letter of reprimand, while seemingly minor, can have lasting consequences, potentially affecting promotions, transfers, or future job applications if documented in an employee’s official personnel file.
For many federal workers, the message is clear: even a 1.5-hour delay can carry severe repercussions. As one commenter put it, the growing trend of micromanagement is creating a “culture of fear” that threatens to erode morale and trust in leadership.
What’s Next for Federal Employees?
This incident serves as a reminder for federal employees to adhere strictly to deadlines, no matter how trivial the task may seem. However, it also raises questions about the need for more equitable and transparent management practices in federal workplaces. As agencies navigate budget pressures, balancing accountability with employee well-being will be critical to maintaining a productive and motivated workforce.
Truthwire.news will continue to monitor this story for updates on federal workplace policies and employee experiences.