chat_history: ["A few of my co-workers said they'd be absent next week", "Oh my, I hope that doesn't mean more workload for you.", "Yeah, I hope we don't get a ton of work while they're gone"]
sys_response: Maybe you should ask for overtime pay just in case you do get more work!
situation: Several co-workers said they wouldn't be able to come to work.  I hope we don't have any major assignments to do