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Explain how to request parental leave in four steps
Practice: Asking for a format you can use. About 5 minutes.
About this exercise
An employee asked how to request parental leave. Explain it in exactly 4 numbered steps in order, each under 18 words, using the current deadlines. Plain text, no legal claims about what they're entitled to, and end with the HR contact line 'Questions: leave@ashby.example'. Write a prompt that gets that.
Common mistakes when you ask AI for this
- Writing a policy summary. The AI explains the whole leave policy instead of the steps. Try: Set it: "Exactly 4 numbered steps, in order."
- Using the old deadline. The notes mention the old 60-day rule. Try: Say it: "Submit the form at least 30 days before."
- Making legal claims. The AI may add "you're legally entitled to...", which HR shouldn't state casually. Try: Add: "No legal claims; HR's packet covers state programs."
- Ending with chatter. AI ends with "Congratulations!! 🎉" instead of where to send questions. Try: Add: "Last line exactly: Questions: leave@ashby.example. Plain text."
What a strong prompt includes
- Sets the number of steps
- Uses the current deadline
- Avoids legal claims
- Ends with the contact
- Asks for plain text
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