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I guess adding another layer here is that taking adverse action against people who did not respond to the email would probably be unlawful. There are laws that govern how agencies (including OPM) within the federal government are permitted to collect data or information about government employees. There's already a lawsuit about this particular system and whether it meets the requirements. In that case OPM filed a Privacy Impact Assessment which states, in relevant part:
"Respond to this email or we'll take adverse action against you" is hardly voluntary. Forget about agency heads. The very entity apparently sending the email on Musk's behalf has to repudiate the consequences he described or, uh, admit they lied to a federal court?
My suspicion is that he’s not just going to immediately fire anyone who doesn’t answer. The people whose accounts don’t answer will probably be placed on a list for further investigation and cross-checking. I think he’s looking for literal Mafia-style Union no-show jobs, not just slackers.
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