The Long Nap of the Lazy Bureaucrat
Briefly

In December, Senator Joni Ernst released a report criticizing federal employees for absenteeism, suggesting that only six percent work full-time in offices, a claim that was later debunked. Despite this, the narrative of lazy bureaucrats gained traction, fueled by comments from Elon Musk and media personalities like Jesse Watters. The report is part of a broader effort to reform government efficiency under Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, targeting knowledge workers especially in office settings, amid increased tensions over work discipline and remote employment.
"Instead of government employees 'pretending to work' and 'being paid a lot for nothing,' Musk stated they would need to get a real job."
"The report claimed just six percent of federal employees work full time in their offices, a finding that was quickly debunked, yet it propelled the notion of a lethargic civil service."
Read at The New Yorker
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