HP was once a company that stood out for its strong values, employee appreciation, and a leadership culture that promoted from within—what we used to proudly call "The HP Way." Unfortunately, those days are long gone.
The current work environment is toxic and demoralizing, with a serious lack of genuine management support. Leadership is overly top-heavy, yet shockingly underqualified, marked by poor communication, insecurity, and an eagerness to remove anyone who appears competent or confident. Instead of being supported for high performance, you're micromanaged to an exhausting degree and often find your work credited to someone else—typically a less involved manager or newer hire.
The newer wave of employees, while younger, often lack the experience, professionalism, and humility needed to succeed. Many show up with an inflated sense of self-importance and little interest in learning or contributing meaningfully. Meanwhile, seasoned employees with institutional knowledge are pushed out under the guise of reorganizations or workforce reductions. These constant restructures and layoffs have created an unstable, fear-driven culture where true innovation and collaboration are stifled.
The company no longer invests in or recognizes real talent. Hard work is overlooked, promotions are politically driven, and management often behaves more like playground bullies than professional leaders. The newer leadership brought in from outside lacks emotional intelligence and leadership maturity—resulting in a culture that manages through fear and control rather than vision and trust.
HP has lost its soul. It used to be a place where employees could thrive, grow, and feel proud of their contributions. Now, it feels more like a revolving door for poor leadership and shallow decision-making. Unless there is a serious cultural reset, I fear HP will continue its downward spiral, trading legacy and loyalty for short-term optics and poor hires.
