Resume Now Survey Reveals AI is Becoming the Go-To Source for Workplace Advice, Communication, and Emotional Support

A new survey from Resume Now®, a top AI resume building platform, reveals a fast-emerging workplace trend the company calls the AI Boss Effect: employees bypassing managers and turning to ChatGPT for help with work decisions, stress, and communication. From writing emails to handling tough conversations, workers say AI provides support they often don’t get from human leaders.

According to the AI Boss Effect Report, based on nearly 1,000 employed respondents, 97% have sought workplace advice from AI tools like ChatGPT, and 63% do so frequently. Many say AI is faster, safer, and less intimidating, especially for sensitive issues like feedback, stress, or career uncertainty.

Key Findings:

• AI is replacing managers as a go-to resource – 97% of employees have sought workplace advice from AI instead of their boss, often due to fear of retaliation (57%).
• Productivity depends on ChatGPT – 77% say losing access would hurt their work, and 44% say it would seriously harm productivity.
• AI outperforms managers in empathy and guidance – 72% say ChatGPT gives better advice, and 49% say it’s been more emotionally supportive than their manager.

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Why Workers Are Turning to AI Instead of Their Boss

Workers say ChatGPT feels safer, faster, and more judgment-free than their human manager.

• 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
• 32% feel more comfortable asking AI than a person
• 70% say ChatGPT understands their work challenges better than their manager

These findings reflect a growing gap between what employees need and what they feel comfortable asking their leaders.

How Workers Use ChatGPT on the Job

ChatGPT is becoming a behind-the-scenes partner in upward communication and daily productivity:

• 93% have used it to prepare for a conversation with their boss
• 61% have sent a message to their manager written by ChatGPT
• 35% used ChatGPT to write a message, then edited it
• 57% rely on ChatGPT for writing and editing emails, reports, and other tasks
• 53% use it for brainstorming or creative ideation
• 52% use it for coding or debugging
• 40% rely on it for research and summarization

These numbers suggest that ChatGPT has quietly become a core part of how employees manage upward communication and creative productivity.

AI as Emotional Support

It is not just about productivity. Workers also report that ChatGPT provides emotional support, and in many cases, more than their boss.

• 49% say ChatGPT has been more emotionally supportive during work-related stress than their manager
• 40% say the support is about the same
• 93% say they would feel comfortable discussing mental health or stress with an AI assistant

For many, AI offers a private space to vent, reflect, or think through problems without judgment or consequences.

Does It Work? Workers Say Yes

Not only do workers rely on AI, but they also believe it delivers better results than traditional leadership.

• 72% say ChatGPT has given them better advice than their boss
• 56% say it at least doubles their output
• 26% say it helps a lot
• 15% say it saves time here and there
• 77% say losing access would hurt their productivity
• 44% say it would seriously hurt their productivity

Only 2% say ChatGPT has no impact on their output.

A Shift in Trust and Communication

The data reveals a subtle but powerful shift in how employees think about guidance and leadership. Many workers are aware of AI’s role in shaping workplace outcomes, and transparency has become a priority, with 91% saying they have suspected AI made an unfair decision that affected their job.
These responses suggest that workers are not anti-AI. They want transparency, fairness, and access to tools that support their success.

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What This Means for Managers
The traditional manager-employee relationship is evolving. AI tools are filling gaps in trust, communication, and support, whether employers realize it or not.

“ChatGPT is not replacing managers, but it is exposing the disconnect between what workers need and what they feel safe asking for,” says Keith Spencer, career expert at Resume Now. “When people turn to AI for emotional support or advice, that is not just a tech trend. It is a trust gap. Managers need to see that as an opportunity to reconnect, not compete.”