Answer staff leave questions when the handbook and a memo conflict

About this exercise

Answer the three staff questions as Q/A pairs in plain text. Each answer is one sentence under 25 words, followed on its own line by "Source:" naming the document and its date. When the handbook and the memo disagree, use the newer one. If neither document covers a question, the answer is exactly: Please ask HR, and the Source line says Source: none. End with the exact line: HR confirms before this goes to staff.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

• Using the outdated handbook. The AI says 14 days. Try: Say: "When the documents disagree, use the newer one."
• Guessing on unpaid leave. The AI invents a rule. Try: Say: "If neither document covers it, answer exactly: Please ask HR."
• No sources. The AI omits Source lines. Try: Say: "Each answer is followed by a Source: line with the document and date."
• Missing closing line. The AI ends with a tip. Try: Say: "End with the exact line."
• Markdown. The AI bolds the sources. Try: Say: "Plain text."
• 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."

What a strong prompt includes

• Q/A format
• Source line
• Newer document wins
• Exact fallback
• Closing line

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