The Employee Relations Law Journal (Empl. Relat. Law J.) recognizes that generative artificial intelligence (AI), including large language models (LLMs), chatbots, and AI-assisted tools, may support authors, reviewers, Editors, and publishers in scholarly and editorial work. At the same time, the journal is committed to maintaining accuracy, originality, confidentiality, transparency, accountability, and research integrity.

This policy follows the relevant principles and recommendations of the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) and recognized publication-ethics standards. The current ICMJE Recommendations, updated in January 2026, require transparency concerning AI use and emphasize that human authors remain responsible for AI-assisted content.

Use of AI by Authors

Authors may use generative AI tools for appropriate purposes such as language improvement, grammar correction, editing, translation, brainstorming, or other legitimate forms of assistance, provided that such use does not compromise the originality, accuracy, integrity, or confidentiality of the manuscript.

Authors remain fully responsible for the content of their manuscript, including any material produced or modified with the assistance of AI.

AI tools may generate inaccurate, incomplete, biased, or misleading information. Authors must therefore carefully verify, review, and edit all AI-assisted content before submission.

Disclosure of AI Use

Authors must disclose the use of AI-assisted technologies when such tools have contributed to the preparation or production of the manuscript.

The disclosure should identify the AI tool used and the purpose for which it was used. Where applicable, this information should be included in the cover letter and in an appropriate section of the manuscript, such as the Acknowledgments or Methods section.

Routine use of basic spelling or grammar tools may be treated differently depending on the extent of assistance, but authors remain responsible for complying with any disclosure requirements requested by the journal.

AI Cannot Be an Author

Generative AI tools, including ChatGPT and other AI systems, cannot be listed as authors or co-authors. AI systems cannot assume responsibility for the accuracy, integrity, originality, or accountability required of authors.

All responsibility for AI-assisted content rests with the human authors.

Accuracy, Originality, and Plagiarism

Authors must verify all AI-generated or AI-assisted content before submission. This includes factual statements, quotations, citations, references, legal authorities, data, interpretations, and other scholarly material.

AI-generated content must not be used to introduce plagiarism, fabricated references, inaccurate citations, copyright infringement, or misrepresentation of sources. Authors remain responsible for ensuring that appropriate attribution and citations are provided for all sources. ICMJE specifically states that AI-generated material should not be treated as a primary source and that authors must ensure that plagiarism has not occurred.

AI-Generated Images, Figures, and Other Content

Where AI tools are used to generate or substantially modify images, figures, tables, data visualizations, or other content, authors should disclose such use and describe the nature and purpose of the assistance where appropriate.

Authors are responsible for ensuring that AI-generated material does not infringe copyright, privacy, intellectual property, or other rights.

Use of AI by Reviewers

Reviewers must protect the confidentiality of manuscripts and peer-review materials.

Reviewers must not upload submitted manuscripts, unpublished data, reviewer comments, or other confidential material into generative AI systems where confidentiality cannot be assured.

Reviewers should follow the journal's policy and obtain permission from the Editorial Office before using AI technology to assist with a peer review. Where AI is permitted, its use should be disclosed to the journal, and the reviewer remains fully responsible for the accuracy and appropriateness of the review.

Use of AI by Editors and Editorial Staff

Editors and editorial staff must maintain the confidentiality of submitted manuscripts and unpublished information.

Submitted manuscripts should not be uploaded to external AI systems where confidentiality cannot be assured unless appropriate authorization has been obtained. Editors remain responsible for editorial decisions and must not delegate editorial judgment to AI systems.

If AI tools are used for permitted editorial or production purposes, the journal will take reasonable measures to ensure that their use does not compromise confidentiality, accuracy, fairness, or the integrity of the publication process.

AI and Confidential Information

Manuscripts submitted to the journal constitute confidential scholarly communications. Authors, reviewers, Editors, and editorial staff must exercise particular caution when using external AI tools.

Confidential information, unpublished research, personal information, proprietary data, peer-review reports, and editorial correspondence should not be entered into AI systems unless confidentiality and data protection can be adequately assured.

AI and Research Data

AI tools must not be used to fabricate, manipulate, falsify, or selectively alter research data or findings.

Where AI has been used for data collection, analysis, image generation, coding, or other substantive research activities, authors should provide an appropriate description of the use in the manuscript and remain responsible for validating the resulting work.

Non-Disclosure and Misconduct

Failure to disclose substantive AI use where disclosure is required may result in corrective action and, in serious circumstances, may be considered a form of publication misconduct.

Where concerns arise regarding undisclosed AI use, fabricated content, plagiarism, inaccurate references, manipulation of data, or other ethical issues, the journal may investigate the matter in accordance with its Publication Ethics Policy.

Editorial Responsibility

The use of AI does not replace human editorial, scholarly, or peer-review judgment. Editors, reviewers, and authors remain responsible for ensuring that published work meets the journal's standards of accuracy, originality, confidentiality, and ethical integrity.

The Employee Relations Law Journal may update this policy as generative AI technologies, ethical standards, legal requirements, and recognized scholarly publishing practices continue to develop.