Using artificial intelligence inappropriately at work could lead to significant repercussions, including potential dismissal, for employees who violate their company’s AI usage policies.
“The consequences are similar to breaches of any workplace policy,” explained Giuseppe Carabetta, an associate professor specializing in workplace and business law at the University of Technology Sydney, in an interview with nine.com.au.
“The Fair Work tribunal has supported terminations in cases where employees have disregarded data handling, privacy, social media, and information security guidelines,” Carabetta added.
In a recent survey, nearly 20% of employed respondents revealed they use AI at work at least once a day.
Among these users, almost half admitted to engaging with AI multiple times daily.
Additionally, 19% said they use AI weekly, while over 60% reported they never incorporate AI into their work routine.
Of those who do use AI at work, the majority said they only use ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and other AI tools for minor tasks like writing emails and checking spelling.
Nearly one in three use AI to produce work like reports and presentations.
About 10 per cent use it for other tasks like translating, researching, writing feedback, producing artwork and “finding answers to questions asked by customers”.
A little over 10 per cent admitted their employer is unaware of their AI use at work and 15 per cent are unsure if their boss knows they use AI.
More concerningly, only 32 per cent of Aussies who use AI at work actually know if their employer has an AI use policy and what it entails.
“Even without a policy, an employer could still discipline an employee if AI use caused a privacy breach, disclosure of confidential information, reputational damage, or unsafe or discriminatory outcome,” Carabetta said.
If there’s no AI policy, workers can protect themselves in a few ways: never put confidential information into public AI tools; only use employer‑approved or ‘secure’ AI systems; and follow any other existing employer policies.
If in doubt, workers can also ask an authorised manager what AI use is permitted.
“If the worker knew the rules and ignored them, then even a first offence may justify termination,” Carabetta said.
“Especially where confidentiality or client trust is undermined.”
The nine.com.au poll, which runs once a fortnight, canvases the views of the Nine audience on 9Nation, which is an online community of our readers and viewers.
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