Gen Z CEO hits back at baby boomer boss sweeping assumption about remote workers

A Gen-Z CEO has hit back at ex-Asda boss Lord Stuart Rose – and says some of the best work can be done “from a laptop in bed”.Lord Rose, the former boss of Marks & Spencer and Asda, 75, told BBC’s Panorama working from home is creating a generation who are “not doing proper work”, on January 20.But Vicky Owens, 24, who owns social media agency Socially Speaking, says “suffering through a long commute to the office” is not related to productivity.She says her eight employees are MORE productive thanks to hybrid working, and “resting” at home during the work day is not “lazy”.She thinks allowing her employees to work from home makes her a more approachable boss, and never forces anyone to come into the office if they don’t want to.Vicky, from Manchester, a social media strategist for brands like Netflix, Vogue and TikTok, said: “I’m not sure why older generations think suffering through a long commute will make you more productive – I can’t believe anyone would say hybrid working is making us lazy.“Taking the opportunity to rest during work is beneficial – but don’t get that confused with laziness.“We’re recognizing, as the new generation, what’s going to make the team more productive.“For that, we have to think smarter, not harder – and being mindful of employees’ wellbeing is the top priority.”Vicky founded her business in early 2021, after spending months cold-calling businesses and offering to revamp their social media pages.Since then, she’s been a social media strategist for huge brands.She even employs her own sister, Lauren, 22, full-time.After going through her own struggles with anxiety and panic disorder during her teenage years, Vicky says it enabled her to recognise when an employee might need help.“When I initially wasn’t well with panic attacks and anxiety, it was good to have the option not to leave the house,” she said.“Being aware of other people who might struggle with that has been...