The Blubber

Elon Musk Claims DOGE Team Works 120-Hour Weeks, Raising Questions About Work-Life Balance

In February, Elon Musk stated that he and his team at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) were working 120 hours per week.

“Our bureaucratic opponents optimistically work 40 hours a week,” Musk added. “That is why they are losing so fast.”

The Math Behind a 120-Hour Workweek

With 168 total hours in a week, working 120 hours would leave only 48 hours for everything else—including eating, personal hygiene, and any free time.

Even if those remaining hours were devoted entirely to sleep, DOGE employees would still average only 6.8 hours per night—below the seven-hour minimum recommended by health experts. But considering commutes and daily responsibilities, the actual number is likely even lower.

Health Risks of Extreme Work Schedules

Chronic sleep deprivation has well-documented consequences. The Mayo Clinic warns that getting less than seven hours of sleep per night is linked to:

• Weight gain
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Heart disease and stroke
• Depression

Similarly, the CDC states that long-term sleep deprivation can lead to serious health problems.

Musk’s Own Extreme Work Habits

Musk is well known for his relentless work ethic. In a 2022 interview with Baron Capital CEO Ron Baron, he described living at Tesla factories for three years:

“I slept on the couch at one point, in a tent on the roof, and for a while, I was just sleeping under my desk,” he said.

“It was damn uncomfortable sleeping on that floor, and always, when I woke up, I’d smell like metal dust.”

Musk has also criticized remote work, calling it “morally wrong” in 2023, making it unlikely that DOGE employees have the flexibility to work from home or adjust their schedules.

A Culture of Overwork?

While Musk’s dedication to work is well-documented, the reality of sustaining a 120-hour workweek raises concerns about employee well-being, work-life balance, and long-term productivity.