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Write a clear sick message to work
You're unwell and the email is the last thing you need. Get a short message that covers absence without oversharing.
The prompt · ChatGPT
Help me write a sick message to work. Channel: [text / email] Expected absence: [today / until date / unsure] What I'm willing to share: [unwell / a bit more] Manager name: [optional] Ask me up to 3 short questions first if anything important is missing. Wait for my answers. Then: 1. A short message. 2. A follow-up if it continues. 3. Reminder about self-certification / fit notes in general UK terms to check with employer/NHS. 4. If I'm severely unwell, seek medical help rather than only messaging work. Only use what I've told you, leave blanks for anything I haven't given, and don't invent diagnoses, doses, calorie targets or treatment plans. This is help with preparation, planning and wording, not medical, diet or treatment advice; check the NHS website, speak to a pharmacist, or contact NHS 111; call 999 if it feels like an emergency. UK English. Stay in this ChatGPT chat. Do not turn on apps or connectors, and do not use memory from another chat.
A short example
Fill the blanks, then paste. text / email: a short note you already have. today / until date / unsure: a short note you already have. Leave the rest of the prompt as written.
The prompt · Gemini
Help me write a sick message to work. Channel: [text / email] Expected absence: [today / until date / unsure] What I'm willing to share: [unwell / a bit more] Manager name: [optional] Ask me up to 3 short questions first if anything important is missing. Wait for my answers. Then: 1. A short message. 2. A follow-up if it continues. 3. Reminder about self-certification / fit notes in general UK terms to check with employer/NHS. 4. If I'm severely unwell, seek medical help rather than only messaging work. Only use what I've told you, leave blanks for anything I haven't given, and don't invent diagnoses, doses, calorie targets or treatment plans. This is help with preparation, planning and wording, not medical, diet or treatment advice; check the NHS website, speak to a pharmacist, or contact NHS 111; call 999 if it feels like an emergency. UK English. Stay in this Gemini chat. Leave extensions off, including Gmail and Drive.
A short example
Fill the blanks, then paste. text / email: a short note you already have. today / until date / unsure: a short note you already have. Leave the rest of the prompt as written.
You say how long you expect to be off.
The assistant asks about your workplace norms.
You get a message and a return line.
What happens
Use Gemini to write a clear sick message to work
You're unwell and the email is the last thing you need. Get a short message that covers absence without oversharing.
Tools
Paste the prompt, fill the blanks, copy the draft.
- Gemini — required. Drafts from the text you paste. Nothing is sent.
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