Resume Now Report Reveals Training Gaps, Policy Confusion, and AI Compliance Risks

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Table of contents

Key Findings
Employer AI Policies: Lack of Clarity and Compliance Risks
AI Training Gaps Leave Workers Underprepared
AI Boosts Productivity — but Raises New Challenges
Who Should Manage AI Policies? Employees Weigh In

A recent survey by Resume Now reveals a growing workplace challenge: While AI adoption is skyrocketing, employees are struggling to navigate unclear company policies, raising AI compliance risks for businesses.

The AI Compliance Report explores how employees are using AI tools at work, where company policies fall short, and why a lack of AI training is leaving workers underprepared. Based on responses from over 1,000 U.S. workers surveyed in January 2025, the report highlights a major gap in AI governance — 57% of employees admit to using AI in ways that may violate company policies, and only 50% say their employer's AI compliance guidelines are very clear.

So, how are unclear AI policies impacting workplaces, and what should businesses do to close the compliance gap while maximizing AI's benefits?

Key Findings

AI policies lack clarity: Only 50% of employees say their employer's AI usage policies are very clear.
Compliance is a major issue: 57% admit to using AI in ways that may violate company policies.
AI is widely used at work: 66% use employer-provided AI tools, and 23% use both company and personal AI tools.
Employees lack sufficient training: 43% say they need more training on how to use AI effectively.
AI drives productivity gains: 85% of employees say AI has boosted their productivity, with 40% reporting significant improvements.
IT should lead AI policy enforcement: 58% believe AI policies should be managed by IT, not HR.

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Employer AI Policies: Lack of Clarity and Compliance Risks

AI is transforming workplaces, but many employees remain uncertain about how to use it within company guidelines. While most businesses have AI policies in place, they often lack clarity, leaving employees unsure about what is allowed and what isn't. In a working world where landing a job often means learning how to make an AI-friendly resume to pass through ATS screening, AI looms over every area of workers' careers. But with so few workers reporting clear and understandable AI policies at work, a compliance crisis may be building.

The data highlights just how widespread this issue is:

98% of employees say their company provides AI guidelines, yet only 50% find them clear.
57% admit to regularly using AI in ways that may conflict with company AI compliance policies.

What This Means: Without clear policies, employees may unintentionally misuse AI, increasing the risk of policy violations or disciplinary action. Seeking clarification from managers or IT teams can help employees navigate AI guidelines more effectively. Understanding company policies ensures that AI tools are used responsibly while minimizing compliance risks.

AI Training Gaps Leave Workers Underprepared

As AI becomes more integrated into daily workflows, many employees feel unprepared to use it effectively. Without proper training, AI tools can be misused, reducing their potential benefits and increasing compliance risks.

The data highlights the growing need for AI education in the workplace:

43% of employees say they need more training to use AI effectively.
47% feel underprepared to navigate employer-provided AI tools.

What This Means: A lack of training can make it difficult for employees to use AI tools efficiently and in compliance with company policies. Without guidance, employees may struggle to maximize AI's benefits or unknowingly violate workplace guidelines. Seeking out training opportunities — whether through employer-provided programs or self-guided learning — can help employees develop the technical and critical thinking skills needed to use AI responsibly and effectively.

AI Boosts Productivity — but Raises New Challenges

AI is significantly enhancing workplace productivity, allowing employees to complete tasks more efficiently. From automation to faster data analysis, AI-driven tools are transforming how work gets done. However, these benefits come with challenges, particularly when employees lack training or clear guidelines on AI usage.

The data highlights AI's impact on workplace productivity:

85% of employees report that AI has increased their productivity.
40% say AI has significantly improved their efficiency.
Only 11% report no productivity impact, and just 3% say AI makes their tasks harder.

What This Means: AI can help employees work faster and improve on their time management skills, but without proper training and clear policies, these benefits may be undermined. Employees who understand how to use AI tools effectively can maximize productivity while minimizing compliance risks. Investing time in learning AI best practices can help employees stay competitive in an AI-driven workplace.

Who Should Manage AI Policies? Employees Weigh In

As AI continues to reshape workplace processes, employees have different perspectives on who should be responsible for enforcing AI policies. The survey reveals that most employees view AI compliance as a technology-driven issue rather than a human resources or legal matter.

The data highlights employee opinions on AI policy enforcement:

58% believe AI policy enforcement should be handled by the IT/Technology Department.
27% think HR should manage AI policies.
14% say the Legal Department should take charge.
0% believe it should be a shared responsibility across departments.

The following is a visualization of this data:

What This Means: As AI policies evolve, employees may need to adapt to shifting oversight structures. IT departments are seen as the most capable of managing AI-related policies, but cross-department collaboration will likely be necessary to ensure that policies are clear, enforceable, and aligned with company goals. Employees should stay informed about company policies, seek clarification when needed, and engage in discussions about AI governance to ensure responsible and effective use of AI in the workplace.

Methodology:

The findings provided were gathered through a survey conducted with 1,023 American workers on January 21, 2025. Participants were asked about their experiences with using AI in the workplace, including AI policy clarity, compliance challenges, training gaps, and productivity impacts. Participants responded to various question types, including yes/no questions, open-ended questions, scale-based questions gauging agreement levels, and questions that permitted the selection of multiple options from a list of answers.

For press inquiries, contact Joseph Santaella at joseph@resume-now.com.

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Keith is a Career Expert and content contributor for Resume Now. He is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with over a decade of experience in the career development field. Keith also holds a Master's of Education from Cabrini University.