Elon Musk Responds to Tesla Investors’ Call He Should Work 40 Hours a Week – Says He Shouldn’t be Compelled to Put More Hours at Tesla When He Hasn’t been Paid Since 2018

Elon Musk is pushing back against requests from some Tesla investors to dedicate at least 40 hours to the electric vehicle manufacturer.

Musk responded to the demands of the Tesla investor group by emphasizing that he has not received any payment for running Tesla since 2018.

Technically, Tesla is legally required to pay Elon Musk; however, the Tesla CEO only receives minimum wage and has earned around $33,000 in recent years, clocking in over 70 hours a week at the EV maker.

Musk was also granted the largest performance-based CEO compensation plan in history, worth $56 billion, for his contributions to Tesla; however, a judge in Delaware revoked these awards due to what she deemed as flawed financial disclosures.

Regarding the recent issue of working 40-hour weeks, this request came from a group of pension fund managers who collectively own 7.9 million Tesla shares, valued at nearly $3 billion.

The group of fund managers sent a letter to Tesla Chairwoman Robyn Denholm, urging the board to require Musk to devote more time to working at Tesla, as the EV maker has experienced two consecutive years of declining vehicle sales.

One might think it is logical for a CEO of a publicly traded company to dedicate 40 hours each week to the organization.

However, a group of Elon Musk's supporters and Tesla investors has come to the defense of the Tesla CEO, arguing that it is unfair to require Musk to work 40 hours at Tesla.

A Tesla fan, who goes by the username “I like Tesla” on X, wrote:

“It's funny we have investors demanding Elon work a certain number of hours per week when we haven't even PAID HIM TO DO SO since 2018. You've got to have some nerve.”

Elon Musk endorsed the idea that he shouldn’t be required to work 40 hours a week at Tesla, given he hasn’t been paid for his work since 2018. Musk replied to I Like Tesla’s post with a simple “Indeed.”

Musk also expressed frustration with this request, adding a “sigh” to his response.

Indeed (sigh)

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 29, 2025

Considering Musk’s multiple statements emphasizing in-person work and hard work, the 40-hour workweek does not seem too unreasonable.

However, looking at the comments, several Tesla investors and Musk fans voiced their support for the Tesla CEO, explaining why he shouldn’t be compelled to work a 40-hour week at the EV maker.

A fellow Tesla investor and prominent online Tesla figure, Zack, writes:

“The double standards they hold you to is wild.”

Another Tesla fan, Rina Tjhen, added:

“Stop being selfish and greedy, people.”

A third Tesla investor, Peter, echoed this sentiment, writing:

“To be honest, there's no amount of money in the world that could satisfy the services you continue to offer to humanity. Much appreciated.”

A fourth Tesla fan, Sabrina, writes…

“There’s not enough Elon to go around. You need to find a way to replicate yourself so there’s enough Elon for everyone. 

Seriously, though, you’re working every hour God sends; do you not deserve to have a life too? 

You’re not a machine, not yet anyway, and they should pay you for all your hard work. The fact they haven’t already is ridiculous.”

Overall, based on the comments, Tesla fans appear to agree with Elon Musk that he shouldn’t be required to work 40 hours a week at Tesla, especially when the EV maker has not compensated him adequately for his work.

However, please let me know what you think in the comments. Share your ideas by clicking the RED “Add new comment” button below. Also, be sure to visit our site, torquenews.com/Tesla, regularly for the latest updates.

Image: Courtesy of Tesla, Inc.

For more information, check out: A Tesla Cybertruck Owner Reports That His Truck Died After He Rinsed It With High-Pressure Water. Tesla Responded, Saying, “You Must Activate Car Wash Mode Before Washing."

Tinsae Aregay has been following Tesla and the evolution of the EV space daily for several years. He covers everything about Tesla, from the cars to Elon Musk, the energy business, and autonomy. Follow Tinsae on Twitter at @TinsaeAregay for daily Tesla news.