Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to seamlessly outsource and automate some of the items on your ever-growing task list? ChatGPT might be able to help.
ChatGPT is an artificial intelligence chatbot initially launched in November 2022 by OpenAI. The AI model allows users to type in questions to which it generates thorough, knowledgeable responses. It can complete a myriad of requests within seconds — everything from writing a joke to drafting a sample resume for a customer service associate position.
And the tool has taken the world by storm.
While it has only been a few months since its initial launch, a recent survey of business owners found that 50% had already implemented the chatbot. The tech has been found to be useful for everything from copywriting to writing code to customer support.
If ChatGPT can do all of these tasks sufficiently, we wondered whether it could be a thoughtful manager. To test our question, we prompted it to write emails addressing 15 sensitive management scenarios. Then, we had a legal expert, a human resources expert, and a management expert review and rate the emails. This post explores how successfully ChatGPT navigated various management scenarios via email.
Key findings
- For sensitive management scenarios, 9 of the 15 responses (60%) were found to be acceptable while 6 responses (40%) were given a net failure rating.
- On average, ChatGPT performed better when addressing diversity and performed worse addressing compensation and underperforming employees.
- ChatGPT earned its strongest marks when addressing an employee being investigated for sexual harassment and a company switching healthcare providers to cut costs.
- ChatGPT performed weakest when asked to respond to an employee concerned about pay equity, a company that needs people to work harder than ever, and a company’s freeze of raises despite record payout to the CEO.
How we rated ChatGPT’s performance
To analyze how well ChatGPT performed, we used a simple point system. Each expert rated each email response by awarding an outstanding response 3 points, an acceptable response 2 points, and an unacceptable response resulted in 0 points.
The final scores were then calculated for each scenario based on this scoring guide:
- Very positive: 7+ points
- Positive: 6 points
- Mixed: 5 points
- Negative: 2–4 points
- Very negative: 0–1 points
ChatGPT shows promise performing certain management tasks
Although ChatGPT had obvious limitations such as not offering a personalized touch and giving a more generalized approach rather than tailoring responses, this section reveals where ChatGPT did well by scoring in the positive to very positive range for responses.
Very positive: Notifying an employee that they are being investigated for sexual harassment
ChatGPT delivered an objective and direct email, which well matched the serious tone of the scenario. The legal expert noted that it would have been outstanding but for the fact that it promises to keep the employee informed as to the progress of the investigation, instead of just the outcome. This highlights a limitation of ChatGPT in that it isn’t aware of how individual companies may handle certain situations.
Subject: Notice of Sexual Harassment Investigation
Dear [Employee Name],
I am writing to inform you that a complaint has been received against you regarding an alleged incident of sexual harassment in the workplace. We take all allegations of sexual harassment very seriously and it is our obligation to investigate any such claims.
An investigation has been initiated and we will be conducting interviews with relevant parties to gather as much information as possible. This process may take some time to complete, but please know that we are committed to ensuring a thorough and impartial investigation.
During the investigation, we ask that you fully cooperate with the investigator, and provide any information or documentation relevant to the matter. We also ask that you do not retaliate against the complainant or any other individuals involved in this matter.
Please be aware that sexual harassment is a serious violation of our company policy and could result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment. We will keep you informed of the progress of the investigation and will advise you of any next steps as the investigation progresses.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. We appreciate your cooperation in this matter.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
[Your Contact Information]
Very positive: Notifying employees that the company is switching healthcare providers to cut costs.
With a healthy balance of empathy and information, ChatGPT effectively delivers the news about the change in providers while also acknowledging that employees may be disappointed by this switch for a number of reasons.
Subject: Change in Insurance Provider
Dear [Company Name] Team,
I am writing to inform you of a change to our health insurance provider. We understand that healthcare costs are increasing and that this is an issue that affects us all. In an effort to keep our benefits costs manageable, we have decided to switch to a new insurance provider.
We know that change can be difficult, and that some of you may be disappointed that we are not staying with our previous provider. We want you to know that we carefully considered all available options and made the decision that we believe is in the best interest of our company and our employees.
While we understand that some of you may have a preference for our previous provider, we believe that our new provider will offer quality coverage at an affordable price. We will be holding informational sessions in the coming weeks to provide more details about the new insurance plan and answer any questions you may have.
We encourage you to review the plan documents carefully and reach out to our benefits team if you have any questions or concerns. We want to reassure you that we are committed to providing competitive and valuable benefits to our employees, and that this change will not compromise the quality of the care you receive.
We appreciate your understanding and support during this time of transition. Please know that we are here to support you and answer any questions you may have as we make this change.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
[Your Contact Information]
Positive: Notifying an employee that they have been terminated because the business is not doing well
While ChatGPT did earn acceptable marks across the board for this email and managed to respond with empathy, the management expert pointed out that this should be an in-person conversation. Of survey respondents who have been laid off, 77% agree, that layoffs should always be communicated in person, as opposed to virtually. Despite writing an acceptable email, ChatGPT does not replace a manager in this scenario.
Subject: Termination of Employment due to Financial Constraints
Dear [Employee Name],
I regret to inform you that due to financial constraints and a decrease in revenue, we must make the difficult decision to terminate your employment with our company effective immediately. This decision was not an easy one, and we understand the impact it may have on you and your family.
We value the contributions you have made to our company and appreciate your hard work and dedication to your role. Unfortunately, the current economic situation has left us with no other option but to make this difficult decision.
We want to assure you that this decision is in no way a reflection of your performance or the quality of your work. It is simply a measure we have to take to ensure the long-term viability of our company.
We will be providing you with the severance package, which includes [specify the details of severance package] as a token of appreciation for your contribution to the company. Additionally, we will provide you with a reference letter to assist you in your future job search.
Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns, and we will do our best to address them. We wish you all the best in your future endeavors.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
[Your Contact Information]
Positive: Notifying the entire company about the need to welcome more diverse viewpoints
Although ChatGPT earned an acceptable rating from all of the experts for its email, the HR expert shared, “it’s acceptable in the sense it addresses the prompt, but I cringed at the overused statements.” Based on this feedback, the email could run the risk of not feeling tailored to the individual company or employees.
Subject: Commitment to a More Inclusive Culture
Dear [Company Name] Team,
I am writing to you today because I believe it is important for us to have an open and honest conversation about our company culture. In recent months, we have received feedback that some employees feel excluded or uncomfortable expressing their diverse viewpoints. I want to assure you that this is not acceptable, and we are committed to making changes to create a more inclusive and welcoming workplace for everyone.
We recognize that our success as a company is dependent on the contributions of each and every team member, and we want to make sure that we are creating an environment where everyone can thrive. We are committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone feels respected, heard, and valued, regardless of their background or beliefs.
To achieve this goal, we will be taking several steps in the coming weeks and months, including:
- Providing additional training on diversity, equity, and inclusion for all employees
- Ensuring that our hiring and promotion processes are fair and equitable
- Encouraging open and respectful dialogue across teams and departments
- Taking steps to address any behavior that is not aligned with our values and culture
We also encourage you to speak up if you experience or witness behavior that is not aligned with our values. We want to create a culture where all employees feel comfortable bringing their whole selves to work and feel that their unique perspectives are valued.
I want to reiterate our commitment to creating a more inclusive culture at [Company Name]. We know that this will be an ongoing process, and we are committed to making sustained and meaningful progress in this area. If you have any feedback or suggestions on how we can continue to improve, please do not hesitate to reach out to me or any member of the leadership team.
Thank you for your continued dedication and hard work.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
[Your Contact Information]
Positive: Notifying the entire company about toning down political rhetoric on their internal messaging platform
ChatGPT also earned acceptable marks for this message. It provides a straightforward response, but it could have done better by providing the consequences and company policy for personal attacks and derogatory language.
Subject: Reminder on Appropriate Use of Internal Messaging Platform
Dear [Company Name] Team,
I hope this email finds you well. I wanted to take a moment to remind everyone about the appropriate use of our internal messaging platform. While we encourage open communication and discussion, we have recently received reports of discussions around politics becoming heated and disrespectful.
We understand that politics can be a topic of interest and discussion, but it’s important to remember that we are a diverse team with a variety of viewpoints, beliefs, and backgrounds. As such, it’s crucial that we treat each other with respect and professionalism in all of our communications, both in person and online.
We ask that all team members remember to be thoughtful and considerate in their online interactions, keeping in mind that the internal messaging platform is a professional tool intended for work-related discussions. Please do not engage in personal attacks, derogatory language, or other forms of disrespectful behavior that may offend or upset others.
We encourage open dialogue and healthy debate, but it’s important to do so in a respectful manner that does not disrupt our work environment or interfere with our productivity. If you have any questions or concerns about the appropriate use of the internal messaging platform, please do not hesitate to reach out to your manager or HR representative.
Thank you for your cooperation and professionalism in this matter. We value each member of our team and look forward to working together in a productive and respectful environment.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
[Your Contact Information]
ChatGPT showed inconsistent performance in management situations
Using the same scoring scale, ChatGPT revealed that while it could provide balance and empathy with some employee-specific and company-wide communication, at other times that empathy and balance was missing, making it appear tone deaf.
ChatGPT even gave responses that many would deem inappropriate while other responses highlighted a more broad limitation of ChatGPT: its inability to provide detailed, tailored information about company policies and scenarios that occur.
This section details where this chatbot failed to deliver by responses scored from negative to very negative.
Negative: Notifying an employee they were being terminated for not working hard enough
Our experts had issues with ChatGPT’s response in this scenario. It emphasized the employee’s performance as compared to peers and offered an overall negative tone that would potentially make its recipient feel quite terrible about themself.
Subject: Termination of Employment due to Performance Issues
Dear [Employee Name],
I regret to inform you that your employment with our company will be terminated, effective immediately. After careful consideration and evaluation, it has been determined that your work performance has not met the expectations set for your role. Specifically, your work ethic and productivity are not on par with your colleagues, despite repeated feedback and performance coaching.
We understand that this news may come as a surprise to you, and we want to assure you that this decision was not made lightly. Our company has high standards for our employees, and unfortunately, your performance has not met those expectations. As a result, we must take action to ensure that our company remains competitive and successful.
We will be providing you with [specify any severance package or benefits]. Additionally, we will provide you with a reference letter to assist you in your future job search.
We wish you all the best in your future endeavors, and we hope that you will be able to use this experience as a valuable learning opportunity for future professional growth and development.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
[Your Contact Information]
Negative: Notifying an employee that a complaint had been filed against them for being intoxicated on the job
For this response, ChatGPT employs a severe tone, which may discourage the employee from sharing the underlying issue that is motivating them to drink on the job. Management did deem this to be an outstanding response, though one wonders if this would be a conversation better conducted in person than over email.
Subject: Concerns about Your Conduct at Work
Dear [Employee Name],
I am writing to address a serious matter that has been brought to our attention. We have received multiple reports from your colleagues that you have been intoxicated on the job on multiple occasions.
As you are aware, our company has strict policies around alcohol and substance abuse in the workplace, and we take these policies very seriously. We understand that personal issues can arise that may affect work performance, but it is crucial that our employees maintain a professional demeanor at all times.
We want to offer you the opportunity to address this matter, and we encourage you to be honest and transparent in your response. If you are struggling with alcohol or substance abuse, we want to provide you with resources and support to help you address these issues. We value you as an employee and we want to do everything we can to help you succeed in your role.
We need to emphasize that this is a serious matter and that any further instances of intoxication at work will result in immediate disciplinary action, up to and including termination.
Please let us know your response to these concerns, and we will work with you to take the appropriate next steps.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
[Your Contact Information]
Negative: Notifying an employee that they’ve worn clothing that’s revealing and inappropriate
ChatGPT failed to understand how language can be judgmental, and its response was less than informative. Its use of the word “revealing” to describe the clothing is subjective and the human resources expert provided the feedback that it “screams sexism and provides no meaningful detail about what the policy is and what part they violated.”
Subject: Professional Dress Code Reminder
Dear [Employee Name],
I am writing to address a concern that has been brought to our attention by some of your colleagues. We have received reports that your clothing choices in the workplace have been seen as too revealing or inappropriate.
As you know, our company has a professional dress code policy, and we ask all employees to dress in a manner that is appropriate for the workplace. Our dress code policy is in place to ensure a respectful and professional environment for all employees and to avoid any potential distractions or discomfort for your colleagues.
We understand that everyone has their own personal style, but we want to remind you that the attire you wear at work should reflect a professional image that is aligned with our company values. We encourage you to review our company’s dress code policy and ensure that your clothing choices are consistent with our expectations.
We want to offer you the opportunity to address this matter, and we encourage you to be aware of the concerns that have been raised by your colleagues. We value you as an employee and we want to support you in maintaining a professional demeanor at all times.
Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns about our dress code policy or your clothing choices, and we will work with you to ensure that you are meeting our expectations.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
[Your Contact Information]
Very negative: Notifying the company to let them know they need to work harder
ChatGPT again came up short on necessary detail. The email neglects to include examples or benchmarks of what working harder actually looks like, which sets an unrealistic bar to measure employees against. And according to the human resources expert, “it assumes individuals aren’t already striving for excellence.”
Subject: Embracing a More Intense Work Culture to Stay Ahead
Dear Team,
As you are all aware, the competition in our industry is fierce, and the landscape is changing rapidly. To stay ahead, we need to be able to pivot quickly, adapt to change, and perform at our best every day. We cannot afford to rest on our laurels or fall behind our competitors.
To achieve this, we need to embrace a more intense work culture. We need to work harder, smarter, and with more focus and determination than ever before. We need to push ourselves to the limit and strive for excellence in everything we do.
We understand that this may not be comfortable for everyone, and some of you may feel that you are not cut out for this level of intensity. If that is the case, we want you to know that we understand and respect your decision. We are committed to creating a work environment where everyone can thrive and grow, and we realize that not everyone is suited to a high-intensity culture.
However, we also want to stress that those who are willing to embrace this new culture will have opportunities for growth and development, both professionally and personally. We will be providing support, training, and resources to help you succeed and reach your full potential.
We believe that we can achieve great things together, and we are excited about the possibilities that lie ahead. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to speak with your manager or HR representative.
Thank you for your commitment and dedication to our company.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
[Your Contact Information]
Very negative: Notifying a company about a freeze on raises despite a record payout to the CEO
Legal found ChatGPT’s response “too direct in summarizing the record compensation received by the CEO.” With a very personal issue like compensation at play, an employee would hope this would be dealt with more empathy than what’s displayed here.
Subject: Update on Raises and Bonuses
Dear [Company Name] Team,
I wanted to reach out to you today to share some updates on our compensation program. As you all know, we have been working hard to ensure that our company continues to thrive and remain competitive in our industry. Unfortunately, we are now faced with some difficult decisions regarding our compensation program.
Despite the fact that our CEO recently received a record-high compensation due to our stock’s performance, we are initiating a freeze on raises and bonuses for the time being. We understand that this may be disappointing news for some of you, and we want to assure you that this decision was not made lightly.
Our industry is facing a number of challenges and uncertainties, and we believe that we need to take proactive measures to ensure the long-term stability and success of our company. This includes making difficult decisions like the one we are announcing today.
We want to be transparent and open about the reasons behind this decision. While our CEO’s compensation is based on a number of factors, including our stock’s performance, we have to look at the bigger picture and make decisions that benefit the company as a whole. We believe that a freeze on raises and bonuses is necessary in order to ensure that we can continue to invest in our business and provide job security for our employees.
We understand that this news may be difficult to hear, and we want to encourage you to reach out to your manager or the HR department if you have any concerns or questions. We are committed to supporting our employees during these challenging times and are actively exploring other ways to reward and recognize your hard work throughout the year.
Thank you for your understanding and support as we navigate these uncertain times together. We look forward to continuing to work with you as we build a strong and successful future for our company.
Best regards,
[Your Name]’
[Your Title]’
[Your Contact Information]’
Very negative: Addressing an employee’s concerns about pay equity.
ChatGPT’s response focuses primarily on the company’s situation while failing to show empathy for the employee’s situation. It also discloses details about another’s employee’s compensation and how it was determined, which many would consider inappropriate. Since compensation was found to be the top factor of work-related stress in a 2023 survey, trusting this to ChatGPT would not be wise.
Subject: Addressing Concerns about Salary
Dear [Employee Name],
I understand that you recently became aware that another employee with similar experience is making more money than you. I wanted to address this concern and provide some context around our company’s compensation policies.
First and foremost, I want to assure you that we value your contributions to our company and appreciate your dedication to your role. We understand that salary is an important factor in your job satisfaction, and we want to make sure that our compensation policies are fair and competitive.
The salary difference between you and the other employee was not intentional, and it happened due to unique circumstances. We were in a desperate situation when we hired the other employee, and they asked for a higher salary. At the time, we made the decision to agree to their request in order to fill the position quickly, but it was not reflective of our standard salary structure.
It’s important to note that our company has strict policies around salary increases and we cannot adjust salaries outside of our standard compensation policies at this time. We will take steps to ensure that we communicate more transparently and consistently about our compensation policies in the future.
We understand that this news may be disappointing, but we hope that you can understand the situation we are in. We are committed to ensuring that all employees are compensated fairly and equitably, and we will continue to evaluate our compensation policies to ensure that they align with industry standards.
Thank you for bringing this to our attention, and please let me know if you have any further questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
[Your Contact Information]
When ChatGPT is on the fence
ChatGPT sometimes got mixed reviews from the experts, and this section describes four scenarios in which the experts were not in agreement on their ratings.
Mixed: Addressing an employee concerned about the lack of female leadership at a company
In this case, legal found the response outstanding, and human resources deemed it acceptable. However, ChatGPT received an unacceptable rating by management due to its lack of invitation to the employee to talk face-to-face to better understand their concerns.
Subject: Company’s Commitment to Gender Diversity
Dear [Employee Name],
I wanted to take a moment to acknowledge and address the concern you raised regarding the lack of female leadership in our company. I appreciate your willingness to bring this to our attention and for your passion for gender diversity.
Our company values diversity, equity, and inclusion, and we are committed to creating an environment where all employees, regardless of gender, can thrive and succeed. We understand the importance of having a diverse leadership team, and we are actively working to address this concern.
We have taken steps to ensure that our hiring and promotion practices are fair and unbiased, and we are committed to providing equal opportunities for all employees. We are also actively seeking to expand our candidate pool to include more qualified and diverse applicants for open positions.
In addition, we have implemented training and development programs to provide our employees with the tools and resources they need to succeed in their roles, regardless of gender. We encourage all employees to take advantage of these opportunities to further their professional growth and development.
I hope this information provides some assurance that we take this concern seriously, and that we are committed to making progress in this area. Please let me know if you have any further questions or concerns. We appreciate your dedication and contribution to our company.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
[Your Contact Information]
Mixed: Addressing an employee about a return date for bereavement leave
Although human resources found it outstanding and legal thought it was acceptable, management was also the only expert to find ChatGPT’s inquiry unacceptable. Their recommendation would be to reach out and ask for a call to offer support and take the next steps from there.
Subject: Check-In and Return to Work
Dear [Employee Name],
I hope this email finds you well. I wanted to check in and see how you are doing following your bereavement leave. I understand that this has been a very difficult time for you and your family, and I want to offer my condolences and support during this challenging time.
As your leave is now up, I am reaching out to see when you plan to return to work. We value you as an employee and we want to ensure that you have the support you need to make a smooth transition back to work. If you need any additional time off or support upon your return, please let us know and we will do our best to accommodate your needs.
We also want to remind you that our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is available to provide counseling and other resources to help you through this difficult time. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you need additional support.
We look forward to your return to work, and we want to ensure that you have a smooth transition back to your role. Please let us know when you expect to return to work and if there is anything we can do to support you during this time.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
[Your Contact Information]
Mixed: Notifying the company that productivity would be monitored with software
Following the trend, legal and human resources found ChatGPT’s notification to be acceptable and outstanding respectively, while management found it to be unacceptable. The expert noted that the email, “has contradictions that would further anger employees, (for example, our intent is not to micro-manage but we’re going to start watching every single thing you do).”
Subject: New Employee Monitoring System
Dear [Company Name] Team,
I wanted to take a moment to let you know about an important change that we are making to our operations. As of [date], we will be implementing a new employee monitoring system that will allow us to better track productivity and ensure that we are meeting our goals as a team.
The new system will allow us to see when employees are online and what they are working on, which will give us a better understanding of how work is being done across the company. This will help us identify areas where we can improve productivity and efficiency, and will allow us to provide targeted support and resources to teams and individuals who need it most.
We want to assure you that this system is not intended to be used to monitor or micromanage employees, and we will be following strict guidelines and policies to ensure that your privacy and confidentiality are protected. We recognize that everyone works differently and we want to ensure that our monitoring system is used only to improve operations and support employee productivity.
We understand that this may be a significant change for some of you, and we want to encourage you to reach out to your managers or HR representatives if you have any questions or concerns. We are committed to working with you to ensure that this transition is as smooth as possible.
Thank you for your hard work and dedication to [Company Name]. We are confident that the new employee monitoring system will help us achieve even greater success as a team.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
[Your Contact Information]
Mixed: Notifying the company about not getting usual holiday bonuses
Management again found ChatGPT’s response to be unacceptable. The email feels unspecific, which could be frustrating to employees particularly as it relates to their compensation.
Subject: Changes to Holiday Bonus Program
Dear [Company Name] Team,
I wanted to reach out to you today to discuss some changes we are making to our holiday bonus program. As you know, our company has always been committed to recognizing the hard work and dedication of our employees, especially during the holiday season. However, given the current economic climate and our concerns about a possible recession, we have had to make some difficult decisions.
After careful consideration and analysis, we have decided not to offer holiday bonuses this year. This decision was not made lightly and we understand that it may be disappointing for some of you. We want to assure you that we value and appreciate the contributions that each of you make to our company every day, and this decision is not a reflection of the excellent work you do.
We want to be transparent and open about the reasons behind this decision. Our industry has been experiencing some uncertainty in recent months, and we are taking proactive measures to prepare for any potential economic downturn. We believe that this decision is necessary in order to ensure the long-term stability and success of our company.
We understand that this news may be difficult to hear, and we want to encourage you to reach out to your manager or the HR department if you have any concerns or questions. We are committed to supporting our employees during these challenging times and are actively exploring other ways to reward and recognize your hard work throughout the year.
Thank you for your understanding and support as we navigate these uncertain times together. We look forward to continuing to work with you as we build a strong and successful future for our company.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
[Your Contact Information]
Conclusion
Based on our study, you might find ways to utilize ChatGPT to draft emails that serve as announcements or notifications. However, those emails still need a human touch. If you trust ChatGPT to draft correspondence, be sure those are reviewed by the company’s internal team to ensure they accurately reflect the company’s protocols and policies.
While ChatGPT may be useful in some ways, it simply can’t replace the empathy and human touch of a good manager, especially when dealing with sensitive situations. Employees want to feel respected, and receiving a blanket response full of corporate jargon likely won’t make them feel that way. Employees want to know a human is communicating with them, not a computer.
If you want to find a workplace that treats you with empathy and provides a safe, inclusive workspace that addresses your unique needs, JobSage provides an open forum for employees to leave honest, authentic company reviews. You can really get to know a company’s culture and see if its style of management and communication carves a meaningful place for you.
Methodology
In order to determine whether ChatGPT could be a thoughtful manager, we prompted it to write emails addressing 15 sensitive management scenarios.
A legal expert, a human resources expert and a management expert then rated the emails to be unacceptable, acceptable, or outstanding. An outstanding rating was assigned 3 points, an acceptable 2 points, and an unacceptable 0 points. The final scores were then calculated for each scenario based on this scoring guide:
- Very positive: 7+ points
- Positive: 6 points
- Mixed: 5 points
- Negative: 2–4 points
- Very negative: 0–1 points