Exec at $27 billion tech giant HP hits back at Gen Z lazy label, saying they’re great at listening and building relationships

George Brasher, SVP and managing director of HP's North American operations, has dismissed the notion that Gen Z employees are lazy and lack interpersonal skills. Instead, he sees them as highly skilled in listening, building trust, and understanding customer needs. HP, a company valued at $27 billion, employs around 55,000 workers globally and believes that the younger generation is driving innovation and creating a more inclusive and conscientious world.

Gen Z employees bring valuable AI skills, a tech-savvy approach to collaboration, and prioritize work-life balance. They are well-prepared for the current job market, with over one million U.S. job postings requiring AI-related skills in 2026, a 66% increase from 2024. Business leaders such as Sally Massey from Colgate-Palmolive and Emily Glassberg Sands from Stripe also recognize the potential of Gen Z employees, praising their ambition, technical proficiency, and adaptability to the latest tools.