AI Policy (DOR Administrative Policy 6.4.8)

WPEA met with DOR and OFM representatives to discuss the agency’s new Artificial Intelligence (AI) policy and its potential impacts on employees. Thankfully, management was open to discussion and collaboration.

You can review all related materials and policies discussed here: AI Policy Documents

Key Takeaways and Ongoing Concerns

DOR’s AI policy remains largely preventative and governance-focused at this stage. Management emphasized that AI use is currently voluntary, and there are no immediate job duty or classification changes resulting from this policy. However, WPEA made clear that as AI becomes more integrated into workplace tools or workflows, future bargaining may be necessary to protect employees’ rights and working conditions.

The Department confirmed that employees may only input Category 1 data (information already public and non-confidential) into public AI tools such as ChatGPT, Copilot, or Gemini.

Data classified as Category 2–4, which includes personal, sensitive, or confidential information, should never be entered into public AI systems.

WPEA specifically asked whether employees receive training to understand the differences between data categories 1–4. DOR confirmed that all employees are trained in this area. If you have not received this training or are unsure what these categories mean, please contact your steward or representative.

AI Use, Productivity, and Fairness

Management stated that it is not currently tracking AI use among employees. However, this raises an important concern: if employees who voluntarily use AI tools appear to increase productivity, and that leads to poorer performance evaluations for those who choose not to use AI, WPEA will consider that a serious issue. Such a development would likely trigger new bargaining or even a set of grievances.

If you experience or witness a situation where AI use or refusal to use AI affects evaluations, workload expectations, or discipline, please contact your steward or representative immediately.

Protecting Your Rights as AI Expands

As new technologies roll out across agencies, members should remain alert for any workplace changes involving AI. If you are ever:

• Required or pressured to use an AI tool,
• Disciplined or criticized for not using one, or
• Informed of a new AI system being implemented,

notify your steward or WPEA representative right away. You have the right to bargain the impacts of those changes to ensure that any negative effects are minimized or eliminated.

We all should continue to monitor developments closely, ensuring that as AI tools evolve, employees’ privacy, fairness, and professional standards remain fully protected.

Together, we can make sure new technologies serve public workers, not the other way around.