The prompt
Score 10 of 10, Excellent
Use it when Someone told you about an illness, bereavement, caregiving or another hard situation, and you want to respond well and know what comes next.
- {{what_they_shared}}
- {{support_available}}
- {{work_context}}
- {{hr_contact}}
Full prompt and why it works
Prompt
Someone on my team has just told me about a personal situation. I want to respond with care and handle the next steps properly. I am their manager, not a counselor or HR, and I want to support them without prying or promising what I cannot give. What they told me, in their words as far as I remember, and how (in person, message, email): """ {{what_they_shared}} """ What I know about our relevant policies and support (leave, flexible work, employee assistance program), or "not sure": {{support_available}} Their role and current workload, briefly: {{work_context}} Produce, with a heading for each part: 1. A reply I can send or say now, under 120 words: thank them for telling me, acknowledge what they said in plain words, say the work can be arranged around it, offer a time to talk, and say what I will and will not share with others. 2. Talking points for a follow-up conversation: five or six open questions about what would help, for example "Is there anything on your plate this week you'd like me to take off it?", and two or three practical options from the support I listed. 3. What to involve HR in: which parts may need HR (leave, an accommodation, pay, anything with a formal process), and a short note to {{hr_contact}} that shares only what they need to know. 4. What to avoid saying: five short lines, such as comparing it with my own experience or asking for medical details. The tone should be warm and steady, like a decent manager, not a script. Do not ask for or record diagnoses or medical details beyond what they chose to share, do not give medical, legal or financial advice, and do not decide on leave or adjustments myself, because those go through HR and our policies. Keep what they told me private except for what HR needs. If my notes suggest they may be at risk of harm, put a first line saying to contact HR and emergency or crisis support now, instead of following this plan. If I am unsure what our policies offer, say so in part 2 and suggest asking HR before offering anything specific.
Variables
- {{what_they_shared}}
- What the person told you, as close to their words as you can, and how they told you. Leave out details they did not share.
- {{support_available}}
- Leave, flexible working, an employee assistance program or other support you know of. Write "not sure" if you do not know.
- {{work_context}}
- Their role and what is on their plate right now.
- {{hr_contact}}
- Who in HR to involve, for example "our HR business partner".
Why it works
- What to avoid. It keeps you from asking for medical details or deciding on leave yourself, which protects the employee's privacy and keeps formal steps with HR.
- Format. Four parts separate what to say now, what to ask later, what goes to HR and what to avoid, so a stressful moment does not blur them.
- If unsure. Any sign of risk of harm overrides the plan and points to HR and crisis support at once.