Check whether a manager's documentation supports disciplinary action
Stress-tests a manager's evidence before a warning or termination and tells you what is missing and what risks exist.
The prompt
A manager wants to take disciplinary action (warning, PIP, or termination). Help me check whether the documentation supports it.
Proposed action: [WHAT the manager wants to do]
Manager's stated reason: [THEIR WORDS]
Documentation available: [PASTE emails, notes, reviews, metrics, prior warnings - with dates]
Employee's recent history: [performance ratings, raises, praise, complaints raised, leave taken, accommodation requests]
How others in similar situations were treated: [comparators, if known]
Assess:
1. Clarity of expectations - was the employee told the standard, and when?
2. Evidence - is each problem documented with dates and specifics, or mostly opinion?
3. Notice and chance to improve - were they warned and given support and time?
4. Consistency - does the record contradict the action (e.g. strong recent review, a recent raise)? Are comparators treated the same?
5. Timing risk - does the action closely follow protected activity (complaint, leave, accommodation request)?
6. Proportionality - does the action fit the issue and our policy?
Return:
- A readiness rating: Ready / Needs more work / High risk - with a one-line reason.
- A table: gap, why it matters, what to do to fix it.
- Questions to ask the manager.
- A recommended next step.
Work only from what I provide; do not assume facts. Recommend legal review for High risk cases.
Highlighted [brackets] are blanks to replace with your own details.
Fill in the blanks and use this promptMore HR & Hiring prompts
What to fill in
- WHAT the manager wants to do
- THEIR WORDS
- comparators, if known
How this prompt is built
This prompt follows the RTF structure (Role, Task, Format). RTF tells the model who to be, what to do and what shape the answer should take. It is the quickest structure that still gives noticeably better results than a bare request.
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