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Work out PTO carryover for four team members from the policy

Practice: Keeping the AI to your sources. About 5 minutes.

About this exercise

Four people on your team asked how many unused PTO days will carry into 2027. You want exactly 4 numbered lines in the form "Name: N days (Sec. X)", applying the HR memo where it changes the policy, in plain text with nothing else. Use only the policy and memo, and if the documents don't cover someone's situation, write "Ask HR" instead of a number.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

  • Using the old cap. The handbook says 5 days, and the AI may not apply the memo that raised it to 10. Try: Say: "Apply the Oct 15 memo where it changes the policy."
  • Forcing a number on every case. The AI treats Grace's leave as a normal case and gives a number the policy never supports. Try: Add: "If the documents don't cover a situation, write Ask HR."
  • No line shape. The AI explains each person's math in a paragraph, which is hard to paste into a team message. Try: Show it: "Format: Name: N days (Sec. X)."
  • Not saying how many. The AI decides the length itself and usually returns more lines, one per person than you can use. Try: Be exact: "exactly 4 numbered lines, one per person."
  • Getting markdown back. AI defaults to bold labels and headings, which show up as stray symbols in a team message. Try: Ask for "plain text, no bold, no headings."

What a strong prompt includes

  • Applies the memo
  • Says what to do when it's not covered
  • Gives the line shape
  • Says exactly how many
  • Asks for plain text

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