Elon Musk tells employees to return to the office 40 hours a week — or quit

Elon Musk told Tesla employees they must work in person at least 40 hours per week or they will be fired.

Several leaked emails sent by Musk on Tuesday revealed the policy, according to electrek.

Those who wish to do remote work must be present at the office for a minimum (and I mean *minimum*) of 40 hours per week or leave Tesla.  

This is less than we ask of factory workers," Musk wrote.

According to Electrek, Musk added that employees' offices must be in a "main Tesla office

not a remote branch office that has no connection to the job duties".

Earlier this week, Musk said he would directly review and approve any requests for exemption from the company's return-to-work policy 

but emphasized to his staff: "If you don't show up, we will assume you have resigned." 

"Tesla is creating and manufacturing the most exciting and meaningful products of any company on earth 

and that cannot be achieved by phoning it in," Musk said.

NPR requested comment from Tesla, but the company did not respond immediately. 

However, in response to one user on Twitter who asked Musk about the leaked emails, Musk responded, "They should pretend to work somewhere else."

In the past, the billionaire has been vocal about his opposition to remote work and has criticized Americans and their work ethic.

In an interview with Financial Times , Musk said Americans "avoid working at all," drawing a comparison with Chinese factory workers who work hard and "won't even leave the factory."

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