HP’s Peter Oganesean Says Only 20% Have A Healthy Relationship With Work “And That’s Alarming”

The future of work isn’t just evolving—it’s demanding urgent attention. According to Peter Oganesean, Managing Director of HP Middle East and East Africa, a staggering 80% of knowledge workers are struggling with their relationship to work, and technology companies need to “wake up.”

In an exclusive interview with Smashi Business, Oganesean unpacked HP’s 2025 Work Relationship Index, a comprehensive survey of 15,000 people across 14 countries. The findings paint a concerning picture: employee satisfaction has dropped from 27% in 2023 to just 20% today. “This shows that we have something structurally wrong,” Peter Oganesean stated bluntly. “Our employees are not happy with what we provide.”

The AI solution

The answer, according to HP’s research, lies in artificial intelligence. The data reveals that 42% of fulfilled workers use AI daily, and 68% believe AI will make their work better. But it’s not about flashy features—it’s about eliminating the mundane. “AI is going to eliminate all repetitive tasks,” Peter Oganesean explained. “We want to do what we like. When we do what we like, we improve productivity for the companies.” HP is responding by embedding AI capabilities across its product lineup, from AI-enabled PCs to printers with intelligent features.

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Hybrid work: more than just remote

A common misconception, Peter Oganesean notes, is that hybrid work simply means working from home. “Actually not,” he clarified. “Hybrid is being as productive as possible from wherever you want.” The challenge? Delivering that productivity without compromising security. Today, HP offers end-to-end solutions, from AI PCs with integrated Poly Studio to fully equipped meeting rooms, ensuring seamless collaboration whether employees are at home, in a coffee shop, or in the office.

Security remains paramount through HP Wolf Security, which protects devices regardless of location. “We’re building the support and security service that will protect your device wherever you are,” Peter Oganesean emphasized.

The path forward

At HP, employees work three days per week from the office for collaboration and creativity. “Sometimes working from home, we forget how great it is to speak to people and how quickly we find solutions,” Peter Oganesean reflected. His message to business leaders is crystal clear: “Embrace AI and hybrid work. It’s there to stay, and it’s going to accelerate.” With 85% of fulfilment drivers within company control, Oganessian believes organizations must acknowledge the problem and take action. “One-size-fits-all doesn’t work any longer,” he concluded.

After more than 20 years at HP, including a Stanford leadership program in 2018, Peter Oganesean’s advice resonates: get out of your comfort zone, or risk becoming irrelevant. In a world transformed by AI and hybrid work, that’s advice worth heeding.