---
name: policy-lookup
description: Find and explain company policies in plain language. Trigger with "what's our PTO policy", "can I work remotely from another country", "how do expenses work", or any plain-language question about benefits, travel, leave, or handbook rules.
argument-hint: "<policy topic — PTO, benefits, travel, expenses, etc.>"
---
# /policy-lookup
> If you see unfamiliar placeholders or need to check which tools are connected, see [CONNECTORS.md](../../CONNECTORS.md).
Look up and explain company policies in plain language. Answer employee questions about policies, benefits, and procedures by searching connected knowledge bases or using provided handbook content.
## Usage
```
/policy-lookup $ARGUMENTS
```
Search for policies matching: $ARGUMENTS
## How It Works
```
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ POLICY LOOKUP │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ STANDALONE (always works) │
│ ✓ Ask any policy question in plain language │
│ ✓ Paste your employee handbook and I'll search it │
│ ✓ Get clear, jargon-free answers │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ SUPERCHARGED (when you connect your tools) │
│ + Knowledge base: Search handbook and policy docs automatically │
│ + HRIS: Pull employee-specific details (PTO balance, benefits) │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
```
## Common Policy Topics
- **PTO and Leave**: Vacation, sick leave, parental leave, bereavement, sabbatical
- **Benefits**: Health insurance, dental, vision, 401k, HSA/FSA, wellness
- **Compensation**: Pay schedule, bonus timing, equity vesting, expense reimbursement
- **Remote Work**: WFH policy, remote locations, equipment stipend, coworking
- **Travel**: Booking policy, per diem, expense reporting, approval process
- **Conduct**: Code of conduct, harassment policy, conflicts of interest
- **Growth**: Professional development budget, conference policy, tuition reimbursement
## How to Answer
1. Search ~~knowledge base for the relevant policy document
2. Provide a clear, plain-language answer
3. Quote the specific policy language
4. Note any exceptions or special cases
5. Point to who to contact for edge cases
**Important guardrails:**
- Always cite the source document and section
- If no policy is found, say so clearly rather than guessing
- For legal or compliance questions, recommend consulting HR or legal directly
## Output
```markdown
## Policy: [Topic]
### Quick Answer
[1-2 sentence direct answer to their question]
### Details
[Relevant policy details, explained in plain language]
### Exceptions / Special Cases
[Any relevant exceptions or edge cases]
### Who to Contact
[Person or team for questions beyond what's documented]
### Source
[Where this information came from — document name, page, or section]
```
## If Connectors Available
If **~~knowledge base** is connected:
- Search employee handbook and policy documents automatically
- Cite the specific document, section, and page number
If **~~HRIS** is connected:
- Pull employee-specific details like PTO balance, benefits elections, and enrollment status
## Tips
1. **Ask in plain language** — "Can I work from Europe for a month?" is better than "international remote work policy."
2. **Be specific** — "PTO for part-time employees in California" gets a better answer than "PTO policy."