Library › Writing AI › HR and recruiting
Explain bereavement leave in three labeled lines
Practice: Saying who it's for. About 5 minutes.
About this exercise
A manager asked HR to explain bereavement leave so she can tell a grieving employee. Write exactly 3 lines labeled Who:, How many days: and How to request:, each one gentle, plain sentence, plain text, under 70 words, using the policy as amended. Don't add anything the policy doesn't say; for anything else, point to HR.
Common mistakes when you ask AI for this
- Asking to 'explain the policy'. The AI writes a formal summary with headings, sections and policy numbers. Try: Show the shape: "3 lines labeled Who:, How many days:, How to request:."
- 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 instead: "each line under 18 words."
- Using the old number. 3 days appears in the main text, with the amendment below it. Try: Add: "Use the Jul 1 amendment: 5 days for immediate family."
- Filling gaps. To be kind, the AI guesses about cases the policy doesn't cover. Try: Add: "Only what the policy says. For anything else, check with HR."
What a strong prompt includes
- Shows the labels
- Uses the amendment
- Sets the tone
- Stays inside the policy
- Sets a word limit
Related exercises
- Accept a job offer and confirm the exact terms (Writing AI · Job seekers)
- Announce a hybrid work policy change with clear actions (Writing AI · HR and recruiting)
- Announce a promotion with the right date and no pay details (Writing AI · HR and recruiting)
- Announce a team change and answer the first question (Writing AI · Managers and team leads)
- Announce a team meeting change people will actually follow (Writing AI · Managers and team leads)