The United States Department of Defense has reversed its earlier guidance, now instructing civilian employees to comply with a federal directive regarding productivity reports. Initially, the department had advised staff to hold off on responding to an email request from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). However, after a thorough review of internal protocols and consultations with OPM, the department concluded that employees should proceed with providing summaries of their recent work activities.

Secretary Pete Hegseth emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability in government operations. In a video message released over the weekend, he directed civilian personnel to submit brief outlines of their accomplishments from the previous week. These updates are intended to be shared internally within the department before being consolidated to meet OPM requirements. The Secretary assured employees that they should not include any classified or sensitive information in their responses, focusing instead on general tasks completed during the specified period.

This shift in policy underscores the ongoing efforts to enhance efficiency across federal agencies. By ensuring that all employees provide regular updates on their contributions, the government aims to foster a culture of responsibility and performance measurement. Such initiatives promote better resource allocation and help identify areas for improvement within the workforce. Ultimately, these measures contribute to the overall goal of delivering effective public service and maintaining high standards of operational excellence.