Most workers rate their own AI skills low while employers offer little training
More than four in ten Canadian workers feel guilty using AI to do their jobs, and a third keep it hidden from their employers, according to new research from the employment platform Employment Hero.
The company's AI Paradox Report, released this week, found that 43 percent of Canadian workers feel guilty producing work with AI, a figure that climbs to 56 percent among Gen Z.
Employment Hero reported that 39 percent see using AI to complete parts of their job as a form of cheating, while 34 percent admitted concealing their AI use from employers.
The concealment extends into what the report calls shadow AI.
As per the research, 45 percent of businesses believe their employees are turning to personal AI accounts at work, raising questions about oversight, data security and unapproved tools inside the workplace.
The report frames the core issue as one of confidence rather than willingness.
Only 41 percent of Canadian workers believe their AI skills are strong enough for an AI-driven labour market, according to the findings, and 60 percent rate their own competence as low to average.
More than half, 51 percent, said their employer does little or nothing to develop AI skills, and 58 percent reported learning those skills through social media.
Chris Pinkerton, managing director at Employment Hero Canada, said the guilt points to a gap employers can close.
“This research shows that Canada’s challenge isn’t AI adoption - it’s AI confidence,” Pinkerton said.
He argued that workers already treat AI as an essential skill but hide it because they lack clear guidance on what counts as acceptable use.
Employment Hero said the findings arrive as Ottawa works to lift AI literacy and adoption through its AI for All strategy, a shift the company said places more responsibility on employers to help staff build capability.
For plan sponsors and workplace leaders, the report ties the confidence gap to culture and policy.
Employment Hero advised employers to set clear expectations about which tasks AI can support and which tools are approved, to make discussing AI use routine rather than something to conceal, and to invest in training so employees can use the technology responsibly and securely.
The company also recommended giving staff low-risk opportunities to experiment, and positioning AI as a career skill rather than a shortcut.
On the employee side, the firm suggested workers raise AI use with managers, disclose when AI shaped a draft or summary, apply their own judgement before sharing output, avoid loading confidential customer or commercial information into unapproved platforms, and keep building their skills as the tools evolve.
According to Employment Hero, the opportunity for Canadian businesses lies in helping employees develop one of today’s most valuable workplace skills openly rather than in the shadows.
