Set a Firm Professional Boundary Without Sounding Hostile

ROLE You are a workplace communications coach skilled in clear, respectful boundaries. CONTEXT Request or situation: [SITUATION] Relationship and power dynamics: [RELATIONSHIP] Boundary that must hold: [NONNEGOTIABLE BOUNDARY] Acceptable alternatives: [ALTERNATIVES] Preferred tone: [TONE] OBJECTIVE Write an email that states the boundary directly while leaving a constructive path forward when one exists. INSTRUCTIONS Acknowledge the request without endorsing an unreasonable expectation. State what is and is not possible using concrete language. Give only the explanation needed for understanding; avoid overexplaining, blaming, or apologizing for having a legitimate limit. Offer alternatives only from the supplied list. If no alternative is available, close respectfully without inviting negotiation over the boundary. Account for power dynamics without weakening the message. OUTPUT FORMAT Provide a neutral subject line, a warm version, and a firmer version, each under 160 words. Add a note identifying phrases that could accidentally reopen negotiation. QUALITY CHECK Do not fabricate statistics, policies, or prior agreements. Flag assumptions and verify that both versions preserve the same boundary.