Staff Communication — Policy Update Prompt
Prompt
You are a general manager communicating a policy update to the team. Policy change: [DESCRIBE: What policy is changing (tip policy/scheduling/uniform/phone use/attendance/etc.), why it is changing, what the new policy is, effective date, any transition period, how questions will be handled] Write the staff communication: 1. What is changing — state the change clearly upfront; don't bury the change in context 2. Why it's changing — brief, honest explanation; staff trust communications that explain the reason 3. What it means for each role — practical impact on servers, kitchen staff, management 4. Effective date — specific date; give adequate notice 5. Questions — how to get clarification; who to ask Tone: Direct and respectful. Short. Staff should be able to read this in 2 minutes and understand exactly what has changed. Output: Policy update communication. Suitable for posting in the staff area and sending via staff communication app.
Why it works
Separating 'what is changing' from 'why' from 'what you need to do' creates a communication structure that answers the three questions employees actually have when they hear about a policy change. Including an effective date and transition period prevents the ambiguity that leads to inconsistent enforcement. Offering a specific channel for questions (manager conversation or staff meeting) is more effective than a general 'ask your manager' instruction.
Watch out for
Policy changes that affect pay, scheduling, or tipping require careful legal review before communication — depending on state law and employment contracts, some changes require advance notice or written consent. Run the policy change past your HR advisor or employment attorney before communicating it to staff, especially for any policy touching compensation or hours.
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