New research from Zety, a leading resume templates service, finds that more than half of U.S. workers have received “workslop” from a manager or supervisor, raising concerns about leadership standards and accountability.
The Workslop Trust Report defines “workslop” as AI-generated work that appears polished but lacks accuracy, substance, or adequate review. Surveying 1,000 U.S. employees who have experienced “workslop,” the data shows that 55% have received this type of work from a manager or supervisor. For many, that experience has lasting consequences: 85% say receiving “workslop” from leadership damages their trust in management.
The findings suggest that when low-quality AI work comes from those in charge, it can ripple across teams, signaling unclear expectations and weakening confidence in decision-making.
Key Findings
- Trust at risk: 55% have gotten “workslop” from a manager or supervisor, and 85% say receiving it damages their trust in leadership.
- AI skepticism rising: 45% say “workslop” has made them more cautious about AI in the workplace.
- Lack of AI knowledge: 1 in 4 have received no AI training or guidance from their employer.
- Workslop solutions: The majority of employees say clearer quality standards (57%) and better AI training (51%) would reduce “workslop.”
Eroding Workplace Trust
Submitting low-quality, automated work sends a signal about company standards, shaking confidence in both leadership and overall team performance:
- 74% say receiving “workslop” lowers their trust in the sender’s work quality.
- 85% say receiving “workslop” from a manager would reduce their trust in leadership.
- 55% say they’ve already received “workslop” from a manager or supervisor at their company.
Workslop Drives Caution and Reveals Training Gaps
As “workslop” becomes more visible, employees report growing skepticism toward AI tools. Nearly half (45%) say it has made them more cautious about AI’s role in the workplace.
At the same time, the research shows lack of preparation and support:
- 45% say they have received limited AI training or guidance.
- 24% say they have received none at all.
- Only 31% report receiving detailed training and ongoing support.
Reducing Workslop and Raising Standards
While “workslop” might seem minor, employees believe it has lasting consequences for teams and organizations.The top risks identified include lower trust in AI (57%), reduced productivity (51%), and damage to company reputation (46%).
When asked what would help reduce “workslop,” workers pointed to practical solutions:
- Clearer quality standards (57%)
- Better AI training (51%)
- Tools to detect errors faster (47%)
- More review/editing time (44%)
- Stronger accountability for mistakes (39%)
“Workslop coming from leadership creates confusion about what ‘good work’ actually looks like,” said Jasmine Escalera, career expert for Zety. “When expectations are unclear and training is inconsistent, employees are left to fill the gaps, often at the expense of trust and morale.”
For detailed insights on the Workslop Trust Report, access the full study at zety.com/blog/workslop-trust-report.
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