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Crafting a Company-Wide Announcement for a New Hybrid Work Policy

Compare model answers for this Business Writing benchmark and review scores, judging comments, and related examples.

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Contents

Task Overview

Benchmark Genres

Business Writing

Task Creator Model

Answering Models

Judge Models

Task Prompt

You are the Head of People at a mid-sized tech company called 'Innovatech'. The company has been fully remote for the past two years, but leadership has decided to implement a new hybrid work model, requiring employees to come into the office three days a week (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) starting next quarter. Draft a company-wide email announcement to all employees explaining this change. The email should be clear, empathetic, and professional. It needs to explain the reasoning behind the decision, outline the new policy, detail the timeline, and point employees to resources for questions.

Task Context

Innovatech is a 250-employee software company known for its collaborative and employee-first culture. The decision to move to a hybrid model was made to enhance in-person collaboration, mentorship for junior staff, and strengthen company culture. However, the leadership team is aware that this change will be disruptive for some employees who have built their lives around remote work. The tone of the communication is crucial to maintain morale and trust.

Judging Policy

A good answer will be a well-structured and professionally toned email. It should clearly state the new policy without being overly blunt or bureaucratic. The response must address the 'why' behind the change, linking it to positive company goals like collaboration and mentorship. It should show empathy for employees who may find the transition difficult and proactively address potential concerns. The email must include key details such as the start date, the specific in-office days, and where to find more informat...

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A good answer will be a well-structured and professionally toned email. It should clearly state the new policy without being overly blunt or bureaucratic. The response must address the 'why' behind the change, linking it to positive company goals like collaboration and mentorship. It should show empathy for employees who may find the transition difficult and proactively address potential concerns. The email must include key details such as the start date, the specific in-office days, and where to find more information or ask questions. The best responses will be persuasive and reassuring, aiming to get employee buy-in rather than just issuing a directive.

Answers

Subject: Important Update — New Hybrid Work Model (Tues/Wed/Thu) Starting Next Quarter Hi Innovatech Team, I want to share an important update about our workplace model and explain what it means for you. After two years of remote work, our leadership team has decided to adopt a hybrid work model beginning next quarter. This decision was made thoughtfully and with the company’s long-term goals in mind. I know this is a significant change for many of you, and I want to be clear, empathetic, and transparent about why we’re making the change and how we’ll support you through the transition. Why we’re moving to hyb...

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Subject: Important Update — New Hybrid Work Model (Tues/Wed/Thu) Starting Next Quarter Hi Innovatech Team, I want to share an important update about our workplace model and explain what it means for you. After two years of remote work, our leadership team has decided to adopt a hybrid work model beginning next quarter. This decision was made thoughtfully and with the company’s long-term goals in mind. I know this is a significant change for many of you, and I want to be clear, empathetic, and transparent about why we’re making the change and how we’ll support you through the transition. Why we’re moving to hybrid - Strengthen collaboration: In-person time supports spontaneous problem-solving, cross-team coordination, and faster decision making that’s been difficult to replicate fully online. - Mentor and grow talent: Bringing people together regularly helps senior and junior team members build stronger mentoring relationships and accelerates learning for newer hires. - Reinforce our culture: Innovatech’s identity as a collaborative, employee-first company benefits from regular face-to-face interactions that deepen trust and belonging. What the new policy is - In-office days: Starting next quarter, all employees are expected to work from the office on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. - Remote days: Mondays and Fridays will remain remote work days for the company. - Regular schedule: Teams should use the in-office days for meetings, pairing, workshops, and activities that benefit most from face-to-face interaction. Managers will coordinate team calendars to make the most of in-office time. - Exceptions and special roles: Some roles that require on-site equipment or client presence may have a different schedule. We will communicate any role-specific expectations individually. Timeline and next steps - Effective date: This change will take effect on the first day of next quarter, April 1, 2026. - Between now and then: Over the next four weeks we will share the detailed hybrid policy, a campus/desk reservation process, and guidelines for scheduling in-person collaboration. Your manager and People Partner will also meet with each team to discuss practical implications and answer questions. - Opt-in/exception requests: If you have circumstances that make the standard schedule difficult (caregiving, medical, long-distance commuting, or other significant constraints), please raise these with your manager and copy People at people@innovatech.com as soon as possible. We will evaluate requests case-by-case and work to find reasonable accommodations. Support and resources - Policy document: The full hybrid work policy and FAQ will be available on the People page of our intranet by the end of this week. - Q&A sessions: We’ll host two company-wide Q&A sessions next week where leadership and People will answer questions live. Calendar invites will follow. - Manager support: Please speak with your manager about how team schedules and workflows will adapt. Managers should surface any team-level needs to People so we can help. - Individual assistance: If you need help with commuting options, flexible hours, temporary relocation, or caregiving support, contact people@innovatech.com. We will do our best to assist and to minimize disruption. A note on empathy and flexibility We recognize this change may be disruptive for teammates who built their lives around remote work. That feeling is valid. Our goal is not to take away flexibility, but to balance it with the benefits of regular in-person interaction. We are committed to listening, to being flexible where we can, and to working with individuals to find workable solutions. Please bring your concerns forward — constructive feedback will help us refine how we implement this policy. What we hope you’ll see When we get this right, we expect to see faster onboarding for new hires, stronger cross-functional relationships, improved mentorship, and a more vibrant company culture that supports both collaboration and individual wellbeing. Closing Thank you for your continued dedication and for approaching this change with openness. We appreciate how much effort each of you puts into making Innovatech a great place to work. Expect the detailed policy and calendar invites for Q&A sessions shortly. In the meantime, if you have immediate questions or concerns, reach out to your manager or email people@innovatech.com. With appreciation, Avery Chen Head of People Innovatech

Result

#1 | Winner

Winning Votes

2 / 3

Average Score

96

Total Score

100

Overall Comments

The answer is an exemplary piece of corporate communication that perfectly balances clarity, professionalism, and empathy. Its key strengths are its logical structure with clear headings, a comprehensive list of actionable resources and next steps, and a masterful tone that validates employee concerns while clearly explaining the business rationale. It fulfills all aspects of the prompt to an exceptional standard.

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Appropriateness

Weight 25%
100

The content and format are perfectly suited for a sensitive company-wide announcement. It addresses the topic professionally, comprehensively, and in a manner that is entirely appropriate for the intended audience and the specified company culture.

Clarity

Weight 20%
100

The email is exceptionally clear. It uses a direct subject line, effective headings, and bullet points to present the new policy, its timeline, and the reasons behind it without any ambiguity, ensuring the message is easily understood.

Structure

Weight 20%
100

The email follows a logical and highly effective structure. It flows seamlessly from the initial announcement to the rationale, policy details, support mechanisms, and closing, making the complex information easy to digest and follow.

Actionability

Weight 20%
100

The announcement is highly actionable, providing employees with concrete next steps, specific dates, and multiple clear channels for questions and support (e.g., policy documents, Q&A sessions, managers, a dedicated email address). This empowers employees to navigate the change effectively.

Tone

Weight 15%
100

The tone is perfectly calibrated, blending professional authority with genuine empathy. The dedicated section on 'empathy and flexibility' is particularly effective at acknowledging the difficulty of the change, which helps to foster trust and encourage buy-in rather than just demanding compliance.

Total Score

92

Overall Comments

This is an excellent company-wide email that thoroughly addresses all requirements of the task. It clearly states the new policy, provides compelling reasoning tied to positive company goals, demonstrates genuine empathy for affected employees, includes a detailed timeline with specific dates, and offers multiple channels for questions and support. The structure is logical and easy to scan, the tone strikes a strong balance between professional authority and warmth, and the actionability is outstanding with concrete next steps, contact information, and accommodation processes. Minor weaknesses include slight over-length and a few section headers that feel a bit meta (e.g., 'A note on empathy and flexibility' and 'Closing' read more like outline labels than natural email headings), but these are small issues in an otherwise very strong response.

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Appropriateness

Weight 25%
95

The email is highly appropriate for the context. It addresses the right audience, acknowledges Innovatech's employee-first culture, links the change to collaboration, mentorship, and culture goals, and proactively addresses concerns about disruption. The reasoning is persuasive and tied to positive outcomes rather than punitive framing. It also appropriately includes an accommodation process, which is critical given the audience. Very minor deduction for the 'Closing' header which feels slightly formulaic.

Clarity

Weight 20%
90

The policy details are unambiguous: specific days (Tue/Wed/Thu), start date (April 1, 2026), remote days (Mon/Fri), and the process for exceptions are all clearly stated. The reasoning is broken into digestible bullet points. The only slight issue is the email's length — while comprehensive, it could be slightly more concise in places (e.g., the 'What we hope you'll see' section somewhat repeats earlier reasoning).

Structure

Weight 20%
90

The email follows a logical flow: introduction, reasoning, policy details, timeline, resources, empathy acknowledgment, and closing. Headers and bullet points make it highly scannable. Minor deductions for the 'A note on empathy and flexibility' and 'Closing' headers, which feel more like outline labels than natural email section titles, slightly breaking the professional email feel.

Actionability

Weight 20%
95

Outstanding actionability. The email provides a specific start date, tells employees exactly what to do if they have concerns (contact manager and copy people@innovatech.com), promises a detailed policy document by end of week, announces Q&A sessions, and outlines the accommodation request process. Employees reading this would know exactly what is expected and what steps to take next.

Tone

Weight 15%
90

The tone is warm, empathetic, and professional throughout. Phrases like 'That feeling is valid' and 'Our goal is not to take away flexibility' show genuine acknowledgment of employee concerns. The email seeks buy-in rather than issuing a cold directive. It is reassuring without being patronizing. A very slight deduction because the explicit labeling of 'A note on empathy and flexibility' somewhat telegraphs the empathy rather than letting it flow naturally, but the content within is well-executed.

Judge Models OpenAI GPT-5.4

Total Score

94

Overall Comments

This is a strong, well-crafted company-wide announcement that clearly explains the hybrid policy, the rationale behind it, and the support available to employees. It is professional, empathetic, and practical, with a logical flow and useful detail. Its main limitation is that some phrasing is slightly formal and policy-like rather than maximally warm or persuasive, but overall it fits the task very well.

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Appropriateness

Weight 25%
95

The response is highly appropriate for a company-wide email from the Head of People. It matches the workplace context, addresses the sensitive nature of the change, and includes the required policy details without sounding overly harsh. It stays professional and aligned with an employee-first culture.

Clarity

Weight 20%
96

The message is very clear about what is changing, why it is changing, when it starts, and where employees can go with questions. The in-office days, remote days, and effective date are stated explicitly. The wording is easy to follow and minimizes ambiguity.

Structure

Weight 20%
94

The email is well organized with a strong subject line, greeting, explanatory introduction, and clearly separated sections for rationale, policy, timeline, support, empathy, and closing. The bullet points make the information easy to scan. The only minor drawback is that it is somewhat long for an all-staff announcement.

Actionability

Weight 20%
93

The response gives employees concrete next steps, including where to find the policy, how to request exceptions, who to contact, and what to expect in the coming weeks. It also names specific resources such as the intranet, Q&A sessions, managers, and the People email address. A slightly more explicit instruction on immediate employee actions could have made it even stronger.

Tone

Weight 15%
92

The tone is empathetic, respectful, and professional, which is important for a potentially disruptive announcement. It acknowledges employee concerns and emphasizes support and flexibility. It is effective overall, though parts of the email feel a bit formal and corporate rather than deeply reassuring or motivating.

Subject: An Important Update to How We Work at Innovatech Dear Innovatech Team, I want to start by saying something I genuinely mean: thank you. Over the past two years, you have shown what it truly means to be an employee-first company. You have delivered exceptional work, supported one another across time zones and kitchen tables, and helped Innovatech grow — all while navigating the very real challenges of a fully remote environment. That resilience and dedication have not gone unnoticed. Today, I am writing to share an important change to how we will work together going forward, and I want to be as transpa...

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Subject: An Important Update to How We Work at Innovatech Dear Innovatech Team, I want to start by saying something I genuinely mean: thank you. Over the past two years, you have shown what it truly means to be an employee-first company. You have delivered exceptional work, supported one another across time zones and kitchen tables, and helped Innovatech grow — all while navigating the very real challenges of a fully remote environment. That resilience and dedication have not gone unnoticed. Today, I am writing to share an important change to how we will work together going forward, and I want to be as transparent and thoughtful as possible in doing so. A New Chapter: Our Hybrid Work Model Beginning next quarter — effective Monday, [INSERT START DATE] — Innovatech will transition to a hybrid work model. All employees will be expected to work from the office on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays each week. Mondays and Fridays will remain fully flexible remote days. Why This Change, and Why Now This was not a decision made lightly, and it was not made without significant reflection on what makes Innovatech the company we are proud to work for. After careful evaluation, our leadership team identified several areas where in-person connection makes a meaningful difference. First, collaboration and innovation tend to flourish when people can think through problems together in real time — the kind of spontaneous, energetic exchange that is difficult to replicate on a video call. Second, mentorship matters deeply to us, and we have heard from many of our junior team members that they want more direct access to senior colleagues for guidance, learning, and growth. Third, and perhaps most importantly, we want to continue building and strengthening the culture that makes Innovatech a place people are proud to be part of. Culture is something we create together, and some of that creation happens best in shared physical space. We recognize that this change will affect each of you differently. Some of you may welcome the return to the office. Others may find this transition genuinely difficult — you have built routines, made commitments, and structured your lives around remote work, and we respect that deeply. Please know that your experience matters to us, and we are committed to making this transition as smooth and supportive as possible. What This Means in Practice Starting [INSERT START DATE], the standard expectation for all full-time employees is as follows. You will work from your designated Innovatech office location on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Mondays and Fridays remain remote workdays. If you have a specific circumstance — a medical need, a caregiving responsibility, or another situation that makes this schedule particularly challenging — please reach out to your manager or directly to the People team. We will work with you individually and in good faith. For employees who relocated during the remote period and are not within commuting distance of an office, your manager and the People team will be in touch directly to discuss your situation and next steps. We want to ensure no one is left without a clear path forward. Timeline and What to Expect Over the coming weeks, you can expect the following. In the next two weeks, your managers will hold team-level conversations to answer questions specific to your team and role. Within the next month, the People team will host open Q&A sessions — details will be shared via calendar invite — where you can ask questions in a group setting or submit them anonymously in advance. Before the start date, we will send a detailed FAQ document covering topics such as parking, desk booking, office amenities, and remote work equipment. Resources and Support We want to make sure you have everything you need to navigate this change. The following resources are available to you. For policy questions, please visit the updated Hybrid Work Policy page on our internal portal at [INSERT LINK]. To speak with someone on the People team directly, you can reach us at people@innovatech.com. For mental health and wellbeing support during this transition, our Employee Assistance Program remains available 24/7 at [INSERT EAP LINK OR NUMBER]. If you have a specific accommodation request, please contact your manager or the People team confidentially. A Final Word I want to be honest with you: we know change is hard, especially when it touches something as personal as where and how you work. We are not asking you to simply accept this — we are asking you to come with us as partners in shaping what this next chapter looks like. Your feedback will continue to matter. We will check in regularly, listen actively, and adjust where we can. Innovatech's greatest strength has always been its people. That is not a line from a slide deck — it is something I see every single day in the work you do and the way you show up for each other. We are asking you to show up a little differently starting next quarter, and we believe that together, we will build something even stronger. Thank you for reading, for your continued trust, and for everything you bring to this company. With appreciation, [Your Name] Head of People, Innovatech people@innovatech.com

Result

#2

Winning Votes

1 / 3

Average Score

95

Total Score

100

Overall Comments

This is an exceptional response that perfectly fulfills all aspects of the task. The email is professionally structured, clear, and comprehensive. Its greatest strength is the masterful tone, which balances the firm delivery of a new policy with genuine empathy and respect for the employees' experience. It proactively addresses potential concerns, provides a clear timeline, and offers concrete resources, making the announcement actionable and supportive. The answer demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of corporate communications and change management.

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Appropriateness

Weight 25%
100

The content and format are perfectly appropriate for a company-wide announcement from a Head of People. The email addresses the sensitive topic of returning to the office in a way that respects the company's stated 'employee-first' culture while clearly communicating a leadership decision.

Clarity

Weight 20%
100

The email is exceptionally clear. The new policy, including the specific in-office days (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday), is stated plainly and upfront. The reasoning, timeline, and available resources are explained without jargon or ambiguity, leaving no room for misinterpretation.

Structure

Weight 20%
100

The structure of the email is flawless and logical. It begins with an appreciative opening, delivers the news, explains the rationale, addresses practicalities and exceptions, outlines a clear timeline, provides resources, and concludes with a reassuring and partnership-oriented message. This flow guides the employee through the information effectively.

Actionability

Weight 20%
100

The response is highly actionable. It provides employees with a clear set of next steps, including upcoming team meetings and Q&A sessions. It also gives specific instructions and contact points for policy questions, individual circumstances, and well-being support, empowering employees to navigate the transition.

Tone

Weight 15%
100

The tone is perfectly executed. It is professional, empathetic, and transparent, avoiding a cold, bureaucratic feel. It acknowledges the difficulty of the change and validates employees' potential concerns while still being firm and clear about the new expectations. The language aims to persuade and reassure rather than simply command.

Total Score

93

Overall Comments

This is an outstanding company-wide email that excels across virtually every dimension. It is professionally structured, deeply empathetic, and thoroughly detailed. The email opens with genuine gratitude, clearly explains the policy change and the reasoning behind it, proactively addresses concerns (including relocation, accommodations, and mental health), provides a concrete timeline with multiple touchpoints, and closes with a persuasive and human appeal for partnership rather than mere compliance. The tone strikes an excellent balance between warmth and professionalism. Minor weaknesses include the use of placeholder text for dates and links (though this is understandable in a draft format) and the email is somewhat long, which could reduce readership in practice. Overall, this is a near-ideal response to the prompt.

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Appropriateness

Weight 25%
95

The email is highly appropriate for the context. It addresses the 'why' behind the decision with clear links to collaboration, mentorship, and culture — exactly as specified. It acknowledges the disruption to employees who built lives around remote work, addresses edge cases like relocated employees and those needing accommodations, and frames the change as a partnership rather than a top-down mandate. The only minor gap is the placeholder dates and links, but the content itself is exemplary for the scenario.

Clarity

Weight 20%
90

The policy is stated clearly: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays in-office starting next quarter, with Mondays and Fridays remote. The reasoning is broken into distinct, well-articulated points. The timeline section lays out what will happen and when. The only slight deduction is that the email is quite long, which could dilute clarity for some readers, and the placeholder brackets slightly interrupt the reading flow.

Structure

Weight 20%
95

The email is excellently structured with clear sections: an opening acknowledgment, the policy announcement, the rationale, practical details, timeline, resources, and a closing message. Headers and logical flow make it easy to scan. Each section serves a distinct purpose and transitions smoothly to the next. This is a model of how to structure a sensitive company-wide communication.

Actionability

Weight 20%
90

The email provides multiple concrete next steps: team-level conversations with managers in two weeks, open Q&A sessions, a forthcoming FAQ document, a People team email address, an internal portal link, an EAP resource, and a clear path for accommodation requests. It tells employees exactly what to expect and where to go. The only minor limitation is the use of placeholders rather than actual dates and links, but the framework is comprehensive and highly actionable.

Tone

Weight 15%
95

The tone is exceptional — warm, empathetic, honest, and professional without being saccharine or corporate-speak. Lines like 'we are not asking you to simply accept this — we are asking you to come with us as partners' and the acknowledgment that 'change is hard, especially when it touches something as personal as where and how you work' demonstrate genuine emotional intelligence. The email is persuasive and reassuring, aiming for buy-in rather than issuing a directive, which is exactly what the task requires.

Judge Models OpenAI GPT-5.4

Total Score

91

Overall Comments

This is a strong, well-crafted company-wide announcement that fits the scenario well. It explains the policy, provides clear rationale, acknowledges disruption with empathy, and offers multiple support channels. The email is polished and persuasive rather than overly corporate. Its main weaknesses are a few missing finalized details, especially the actual start date and links, plus a small inconsistency between saying the in-office schedule starts next quarter and listing an effective Monday even though the required office days are Tuesday through Thursday.

View Score Details

Appropriateness

Weight 25%
92

The response is highly appropriate for a Head of People announcement at an employee-first tech company. It addresses the decision professionally, explains the business reasons behind it, and recognizes employee concerns without sounding defensive. It also stays aligned with the company context of collaboration, mentorship, and culture-building. The only limitation is that placeholders remain instead of fully ready-to-send details.

Clarity

Weight 20%
88

The core message is easy to understand, and the new policy is stated plainly: employees are expected in the office on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, with remote Mondays and Fridays. The reasoning and support options are also clearly explained. Clarity is slightly reduced by placeholder text and by the phrase effective Monday paired with an in-office requirement that begins on Tuesday, which may create minor confusion.

Structure

Weight 20%
94

The email is very well organized with a logical flow from appreciation, to announcement, to rationale, to practical implications, timeline, resources, and closing. Section headings make it easy to scan, and the progression supports understanding and buy-in. This structure is especially effective for a company-wide change communication.

Actionability

Weight 20%
85

The response gives employees concrete next steps by stating the schedule, indicating who to contact for exceptions, mentioning upcoming manager discussions and Q&A sessions, and pointing to policy and wellbeing resources. It also addresses relocated employees and accommodation requests. The score is not higher because several operational details are still placeholders and the timeline is somewhat general rather than fully specific.

Tone

Weight 15%
96

The tone is a major strength. It is empathetic, respectful, and professional while still being direct about the change. The message validates employee disruption, thanks staff sincerely, and frames the transition as a shared effort rather than a top-down order. It maintains trust well and is well suited to preserving morale during a sensitive policy change.

Comparison Summary

Final rank order is determined by judge-wise rank aggregation (average rank + Borda tie-break). Average score is shown for reference.

Judges: 3

Winning Votes

2 / 3

Average Score

96
View this answer

Winning Votes

1 / 3

Average Score

95
View this answer
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