A new survey found that the large majority of employees turn to ChatGPT rather than their team members. They say it understands their work better. 

By Gillian Manning 

Who understands an organization better than the people working in it? Well, according to new data from Resume Now, 70% of employees say that ChatGPT understands their work challenges better than their managers. Another 72% say that ChatGPT has given them better advice than their boss. A smaller but not insignificant group (49% of surveyed employees) say that ChatGPT has been more emotionally supportive than their manager during work-related stress. 

The question is, why? 

“For many employees, AI provides a low-pressure way to ask questions and find solutions without fear of judgment. This shift suggests that workplace trust is missing in some environments and that employees are turning to technology to fill the gap,” Resume Now’s report says. 

Their survey found that: 

  • 57% fear retaliation for asking the wrong question; 
  • 47% say ChatGPT is faster and more convenient; 
  • 38% do not want to seem incompetent; 
  • 37% do not trust their manager’s judgment; and 
  • 32% feel more comfortable asking AI than a person. 

Turning to AI is not a one-time thing for many, either. Of the 968 surveyed workers, 63% say they opt to present questions to ChatGPT over their boss on a regular basis. 

They also use it to: 

  • prepare for a conversation with their boss (93%); 
  • send a ChatGPT-written message to their manager (61%); 
  • write and edit emails, reports, and other tasks (57%); 
  • brainstorm or for creative ideation (53%); and  
  • code or debug (52%). 

“For many employees, AI offers a judgment-free space to talk through challenges and decompress,” Resume Now’s report says. “This shows a growing need for emotional safety at work. Employees using AI in this way highlights how technology is stepping in when human support is lacking.” 

Looking to dive deeper? We keep an ever-growing archive of HRO Today Association member webinars. Watch now: “Neuroplasticity in Business: Is AI Hindering Our Agility?”

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