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Reply to a pay question without sharing anyone else's pay

  • For HR and recruiting
  • You practice Getting the tone right
  • Time about 5 minutes
  • Level Intermediate

About this exercise

Reply to Nadia in plain text, under 130 words. First line exactly: Subject: Re: My pay band question. Explain, using only the process notes, how pay bands and reviews work and what she can do next (book a conversation with her manager and ask for a band review in the HR portal). Do not share or confirm anything about any coworker's pay. Do not promise a raise. Last line exactly: Best, Joan (People Team). HR reviews before sending.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

  • Confirming the gap. The AI says 'Sam was hired higher because of market changes'. Try: Say: "Do not share or confirm anything about coworkers' pay."
  • Promising a raise. The AI says 'we'll fix this'. Try: Say: "Do not promise a raise."
  • Missing the process. The AI gives general reassurance. Try: Say: "Explain how bands, July reviews and the Pay Review form work."
  • Exact lines. The AI writes its own subject and sign-off. Try: Say: "First and last lines exactly as given."
  • 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 part instead, for example: "each line under 15 words."
  • Markdown. The AI bolds words or adds headings. Try: Say: "Plain text, no bold, no headings."

What a strong prompt includes

  • Exact lines
  • Process notes only
  • Coworker's pay
  • No promise
  • Word cap

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