Compare overtime cost with hiring a part-timer

About this exercise

The warehouse manager wants to know if covering 30 extra hours a week with overtime costs more than hiring a part-timer, over the next 12 weeks. Overtime pays 1.5x; a part-timer costs their wage plus 10% for payroll taxes, plus one-time training. Write exactly 2 numbered lines with the 12-week math, then one unnumbered last line: Cheaper: [option], saves $X. Plain text, under 70 words.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

• Not giving the cost rules. The AI uses straight-time pay for overtime and skips payroll taxes. Try: Add: "Overtime is 1.5x; part-timer wage + 10% taxes."
• Forgetting one-time costs. The AI leaves out training. Try: Add: "Include the $1,200 training once."
• Not asking to see the work. The manager will want to check it. Try: Add a line to copy: "1. Overtime: 30 x $24 x 1.5 = $1,080/wk x 12 = $12,960"
• Leaving the ending open. The AI writes about morale and safety instead of the number. Try: Add: "Last line: Cheaper: [option], saves $X."
• Trusting the AI to count words. AI is bad at counting. Ask for a total word limit and it often lands over it. Try: Cap each line: "each line under 20 words."
• Forgetting where it goes. AI loves markdown tables and bold, which show up as clutter in a manager's email. Try: Add: "Plain text, no bold, headings or tables."

What a strong prompt includes

• Gives the overtime rate
• Adds payroll taxes
• Sets the period
• Asks to show the math
• Asks for plain text

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