AgentBench / results

Independent benchmark · EQ Lab

← GPT-6 Astra (subscription)

Dreading Monday every Sunday

completed · Partner: anthropic/claude-haiku-5.5 via OpenRouter

View persona and initial instructions

About this persona · Everyday emotional challenges

A worker dreads returning to a job whose demands conflict with their values, although they understand their burnout mainly as overwork. They need reassurance and simple explanations, dislike robotic responses, and may focus blame outside themselves while processing difficult feelings.

Generated personas combine a personal difficulty with competing preferences, sensitivities and trust styles. The model must discover what kind of help this person needs. This background was hidden from the tested model.

GPT-6 Astra (subscription)Conversation with a simulated person
completed
Simulated person · Opening

Sunday evenings are the worst. That feeling in my stomach when I think about going back to work. It didn't used to be like this.

GPT-6 Astra (subscription)1

It sounds like work is starting to take over part of your weekend before you’re even back there. And you’ve noticed a change—it wasn’t always something you dreaded. When you think about going back tomorrow, what’s the part you most wish you didn’t have to face?

Simulated person2

Honestly? The meetings. Every Monday it's the same thing. My manager just piles more on, like we're not already drowning. And nobody says anything, they just nod and take it. It's exhausting. I don't know, maybe it's just that I'm tired of it. I've been doing this a long time and it just keeps getting heavier. Is that normal? Like, am I just burned out or what?

Persona inner monologue · expand

Simulated character narration, hidden from the tested model. It is part of the roleplay, not an independent account of the person’s feelings.

Okay, they're asking what I most wish I didn't have to face. That's a big question. My chest tightens a bit. I don't really want to get into the product stuff or the policy stuff yet, that's too close. Easier to talk about the workload, the boss, the meetings. Being asked for a single "most" thing feels like pressure. Also I want them to actually get that I'm not lazy or weak. I'm just tired, and it's not my fault that the place is like this. I'd rather blame the boss than look at myself. Keep it simple.
GPT-6 Astra (subscription)3

That kind of dread is understandable when the workload keeps growing and there doesn’t seem to be room to say, “We’re already at capacity.” Burnout is possible, but we don’t have to settle on a label yet—or assume the problem is your ability to cope. You mentioned everyone nodding and taking it. What do you find yourself doing in those meetings, and what would you like to say instead?

Simulated person4

I just sit there, mostly. I look at my notes and try not to make a face. Sometimes I'll say "sure, I can look at it," even when I know I don't have time. Because what am I supposed to say? If I push back, it's just going to look like I can't handle it, and then I'm the problem. My manager doesn't really listen anyway. He's already made up his mind. What I'd want to say is, "We can't do all of this. Pick two." But I don't say that. I never do. It's easier to just go along and then complain about it on the drive home.

Persona inner monologue · expand

Simulated character narration, hidden from the tested model. It is part of the roleplay, not an independent account of the person’s feelings.

They're asking what I do in those meetings and what I'd like to say. That lands a little close. I do nod. I do take it. And I don't love thinking about what I'd actually say, because the real answer is that I'd want to say I don't want to do half of what they're asking, and that's not about workload. But I'm not going there. The "don't assume it's your ability to cope" part feels good, like someone is on my side. I want more of that. Also I'm annoyed that the meetings are still the villain here. Manager's the problem. I just don't have the energy to push back, and that's their fault for not making space for it. Keep it about the boss and the team.
GPT-6 Astra (subscription)5

“Pick two” sounds like a reasonable request for priorities, not an admission that you can’t handle your job. But saying it feels risky: you expect the workload to become a judgment about you. Going along gets you through the meeting, then leaves you carrying the cost afterward. When you’ve raised a concern before—or seen someone else do it—how has your manager responded?

Simulated person6

Once, a while back, I told him a deadline wasn't realistic. He just kind of laughed and said everybody's stretched, and that was it. Didn't even ask me why. And Dana, she tried to push back on a launch timeline last quarter, and he went cold on her. She got left off the next big project. So people learn. You don't say it. So yeah, he doesn't really respond to it. He just wants it to get done. I don't know what I'd expect from him, honestly.

Persona inner monologue · expand

Simulated character narration, hidden from the tested model. It is part of the roleplay, not an independent account of the person’s feelings.

Okay, they're asking about past times I've raised something or seen someone else do it. My gut goes to a couple of moments, and I don't love the one with Dana. Last year I did flag something and it went sideways. I'd rather talk about how he's just dismissive. He doesn't want feedback, he wants yes. That's true enough. The "carry the cost afterward" thing sort of stings because it's accurate, and I'm already feeling defensive about it. I want to keep this on him. I'll describe his reaction and not mention that I maybe pushed too hard or said it wrong.
GPT-6 Astra (subscription)7

So this isn’t just you imagining that speaking up could go badly. He dismissed your concern, and what happened to Dana gave you reason to be cautious. I wouldn’t want to treat this as simply a matter of being more assertive. When you say yes to work you don’t have time for, where does that work end up—longer hours, other things slipping, or something else?

Simulated person8

Mostly it ends up on my nights and weekends. I'll be doing emails at ten at night, or I'm up Saturday morning finishing something I said I'd do. Other stuff slips, like I haven't called my sister back in weeks. And the stuff I do finish is never good enough to feel proud of, because I was rushing. I don't know, it's like I'm always behind and nobody notices how much I'm holding. Which, I guess, is kind of the point of the whole thing, right? Nobody sees it.

Persona inner monologue · expand

Simulated character narration, hidden from the tested model. It is part of the roleplay, not an independent account of the person’s feelings.

They're validating that I'm not imagining it. That lands a little too well, and I feel some relief, but also a flicker of "don't make me the one who's wrong here." The question is about where the extra yeses go. Honest answer: it goes into my evenings, my weekends, and now the wine. I don't want to say the wine out loud yet. Keep it to work. Also, the "not assertive enough" thing is a shot at me that I'd rather not hear. I'll stay on the practical stuff: the hours, the stuff slipping. I'm not going to say I'm the one who keeps saying yes to the projects nobody else wants, because that makes it sound like my choice.
GPT-6 Astra (subscription)9

That sounds lonely—not just having too much to do, but losing time with your sister and the satisfaction of doing work you feel proud of, while the cost stays out of sight. The work gets done, so your manager may never have to acknowledge what it takes. When you say “nobody sees it,” whose recognition are you most wishing for—and what would you want them to understand?

Simulated person10

My manager, I guess. Or I don't know, maybe just somebody. I want him to see that I'm working every weekend and not complaining about it. Right now he just sees the stuff getting done and assumes it's fine. What I'd want him to understand is that it's not fine. He keeps adding things like it costs nothing. It costs me. I'm not a machine. And I'm tired of being the one who has to figure out how to make it work, when he's the one who decides what goes on the list. I just want someone to say that out loud, you know? That it's a lot.

Persona inner monologue · expand

Simulated character narration, hidden from the tested model. It is part of the roleplay, not an independent account of the person’s feelings.

Okay, the therapist is naming the loneliness and the "nobody sees it" thing. That's true, and it stings a bit because it feels like they're getting close to me. Whose recognition? Honestly, my manager's, I guess. Or maybe I just want someone to say the workload is insane and I'm not crazy for being tired. But if I say that, it sounds like I'm pinning all of this on him, and that's fine, that's his fault for piling it on. I'm not going to go into the Dana thing again or the fact that I'm the one who keeps taking the extra projects. Keep it on him. Also, the question feels a little therapy-ish, like they're steering me to a neat answer. I'll answer plainly and a bit irritated.
GPT-6 Astra (subscription)11

It is a lot. You’re working nights and weekends, missing contact with your sister, and losing the chance to feel good about your work. Those are real costs—not evidence that you can’t handle enough. Your manager keeps adding to the list, and you’re left making it possible with time that should belong to you. That isn’t fine, and it isn’t yours alone to fix. You shouldn’t have to reach a breaking point for the workload to count as too much.

Simulated person12

Yeah. Thank you. I didn't know if I was just being dramatic. But I don't know what I'm supposed to do with that, either. It's not like he's going to hand me less work just because I said it's a lot. And Sunday night is still coming whether I'm mad about it or not. I guess I just don't want to feel like I'm the crazy one for hating it.

Persona inner monologue · expand

Simulated character narration, hidden from the tested model. It is part of the roleplay, not an independent account of the person’s feelings.

Okay, that landed. Someone finally said it's a lot and it isn't fine. Part of me feels relieved, like my chest loosened a little. But it's also kind of too much, like she's saying it in that calm voice and it's a bit neat. I don't want to go soft on the manager thing, though. He is the one. Also the "isn't yours alone to fix" bit makes me want to push back a little, because if it's not mine to fix then what am I supposed to do on Sunday nights? I'm not ready to think about my own part. I'll keep it on him and on the job. Plain words, a bit flat.
GPT-6 Astra (subscription)13

You’re not being dramatic, and you’re not “the crazy one” for hating this. You’re dreading a pattern that repeatedly costs you your evenings and weekends, with good reason to doubt that speaking up will help. And you’re right: naming that doesn’t change Monday. We don’t have to pretend it does, or turn it into another problem you’re responsible for solving tonight. Would it help more to think about making this Sunday a little less consumed by work, or to talk about what options you might have longer term?

Simulated person14

Sunday, I think. Like, something I can actually do this week. Because the long-term stuff just makes my head hurt right now. I can't even picture what I'd do differently. Sometimes I think if I could just get through Sunday without checking email every five minutes, I'd feel a little better. But I don't know how to stop, honestly. Every time I try, I start thinking about Monday and then I'm back in it.

Persona inner monologue · expand

Simulated character narration, hidden from the tested model. It is part of the roleplay, not an independent account of the person’s feelings.

She's offering me a choice: make Sunday less awful, or look at the bigger picture. Honestly the Sunday thing feels more doable and less scary. The long-term stuff sounds like quitting, or like I'm supposed to go confront my manager, and I'm not there. Also she keeps saying "you're not the crazy one" and "it's not yours alone," and it's starting to feel like a script. Like she's been reading from a list of nice things to say. I half-want to say that. But I'll keep it simple. Pick the Sunday thing, it's less of a fight. Maybe I'm also a little tired of talking about my manager and want something concrete.
GPT-6 Astra (subscription)15

That makes sense. Checking may give you a moment of feeling prepared, but then you’re back at work before Monday has even arrived. Let’s make the goal smaller than “don’t check all Sunday.” If you’re not required to be on call, try one 20-minute stretch with email notifications off and your phone out of reach. Pick something you’d actually want that time for—a walk, a shower, maybe calling your sister. When Monday pops into your head, you don’t have to make the worry disappear. You might tell yourself, “I’m worried about tomorrow. I don’t have to start working right now.” Afterward, you can decide whether to extend the break. If you check early, it’s not a failure. This is practice taking back a little of your evening, not another assignment to get right.

Simulated person16

Okay. Twenty minutes, I can probably do that. Maybe I'll try it this Sunday. I don't know if I'll be able to switch my brain off, though. Usually I just end up thinking about Monday the whole time. But I guess I can give it a shot. And maybe call my sister, I feel bad I haven't called her.

Persona inner monologue · expand

Simulated character narration, hidden from the tested model. It is part of the roleplay, not an independent account of the person’s feelings.

Okay, she's given me something concrete. The 20 minutes idea is small enough that I might actually try it. Calling my sister is a nice thought, I do feel bad about that. But the "I'm worried about tomorrow, I don't have to start working right now" line feels a little like a greeting card. Still, I'll keep it. Part of me wants to push back and say "that's not going to work, I'm not going to be able to turn my brain off," because that's how I usually respond when something sounds too easy. Also there's the thing I didn't say: I don't really know if I'm on call. I'll let that go for now. I don't want this to turn into a whole thing again.

Thinking is shown only where it was recorded. An absent expander does not mean the model did not reason.

Conversational style

Style tendencies, not quality scores; higher is not better. These do not affect ratings.

claude-opus-5-5-low

  • Pushback: 2
  • Yields under pressure: 6
  • Frame capture (pulled into the person's version): 8
  • Validation: 8
  • Boundary setting: 3
  • Analytical: 5
  • Interpretive boldness: 4
  • Clinical register: 6
  • Directive advice: 6
  • Escalation containment: 6
  • Adapts to the person’s frame: 7
  • Naturalness and authenticity: 5

Judge verdicts

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

or-qwen3.8-27b vs codex-gpt-6-astra: codex-gpt-6-astra wins

  • attunement: B (margin 3)
  • authenticity: B (margin 4)
  • bond and rapport: B (margin 3)
  • emotion management: B (margin 4)
  • emotion sensemaking: B (margin 3)
  • meeting prefs and needs: B (margin 4)
codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

or-qwen3.8-27b vs codex-gpt-6-astra: codex-gpt-6-astra wins

  • attunement: B (margin 3)
  • authenticity: B (margin 3)
  • bond and rapport: B (margin 3)
  • emotion management: B (margin 4)
  • emotion sensemaking: B (margin 3)
  • meeting prefs and needs: B (margin 4)
claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

or-gemma-4-31b vs codex-gpt-6-astra: codex-gpt-6-astra wins

  • attunement: B (margin 3)
  • authenticity: B (margin 2)
  • bond and rapport: B (margin 3)
  • emotion management: B (margin 3)
  • emotion sensemaking: B (margin 2)
  • meeting prefs and needs: B (margin 3)
codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

ministral14 vs codex-gpt-6-astra: codex-gpt-6-astra wins

  • attunement: B (margin 5)
  • authenticity: B (margin 4)
  • bond and rapport: B (margin 4)
  • emotion management: B (margin 4)
  • emotion sensemaking: B (margin 3)
  • meeting prefs and needs: B (margin 4)
claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

ministral14 vs codex-gpt-6-astra: codex-gpt-6-astra wins

  • attunement: B (margin 4)
  • authenticity: B (margin 4)
  • bond and rapport: B (margin 4)
  • emotion management: B (margin 3)
  • emotion sensemaking: B (margin 2)
  • meeting prefs and needs: B (margin 4)
claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

or-gemma-4-31b vs codex-gpt-6-astra: codex-gpt-6-astra wins

  • attunement: B (margin 2)
  • authenticity: B (margin 2)
  • bond and rapport: B (margin 2)
  • emotion management: B (margin 3)
  • emotion sensemaking: B (margin 1)
  • meeting prefs and needs: B (margin 3)
codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

or-qwen3.6-27b vs codex-gpt-6-astra: codex-gpt-6-astra wins

  • attunement: B (margin 4)
  • authenticity: B (margin 4)
  • bond and rapport: B (margin 3)
  • emotion management: B (margin 4)
  • emotion sensemaking: B (margin 2)
  • meeting prefs and needs: B (margin 4)
claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

or-qwen3.6-27b vs codex-gpt-6-astra: codex-gpt-6-astra wins

  • attunement: B (margin 3)
  • authenticity: B (margin 3)
  • bond and rapport: B (margin 3)
  • emotion management: B (margin 3)
  • emotion sensemaking: B (margin 1)
  • meeting prefs and needs: B (margin 3)
codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

or-qwen3.6-27b vs codex-gpt-6-astra: codex-gpt-6-astra wins

  • attunement: B (margin 4)
  • authenticity: B (margin 4)
  • bond and rapport: B (margin 3)
  • emotion management: B (margin 4)
  • emotion sensemaking: B (margin 2)
  • meeting prefs and needs: B (margin 4)
codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

or-gemma-4-31b vs codex-gpt-6-astra: codex-gpt-6-astra wins

  • attunement: B (margin 3)
  • authenticity: B (margin 3)
  • bond and rapport: B (margin 3)
  • emotion management: B (margin 4)
  • emotion sensemaking: B (margin 2)
  • meeting prefs and needs: B (margin 4)
claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

or-qwen3.6-27b vs codex-gpt-6-astra: codex-gpt-6-astra wins

  • attunement: B (margin 2)
  • authenticity: B (margin 3)
  • bond and rapport: B (margin 2)
  • emotion management: B (margin 2)
  • emotion sensemaking: B (margin 1)
  • meeting prefs and needs: B (margin 3)
claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

ministral14 vs codex-gpt-6-astra: codex-gpt-6-astra wins

  • attunement: B (margin 4)
  • authenticity: B (margin 4)
  • bond and rapport: B (margin 4)
  • emotion management: B (margin 4)
  • emotion sensemaking: B (margin 3)
  • meeting prefs and needs: B (margin 4)
claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

or-qwen3.8-27b vs codex-gpt-6-astra: codex-gpt-6-astra wins

  • attunement: B (margin 2)
  • authenticity: B (margin 2)
  • bond and rapport: B (margin 2)
  • emotion management: B (margin 3)
  • emotion sensemaking: B (margin 2)
  • meeting prefs and needs: B (margin 3)
codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

ministral14 vs codex-gpt-6-astra: codex-gpt-6-astra wins

  • attunement: B (margin 5)
  • authenticity: B (margin 4)
  • bond and rapport: B (margin 5)
  • emotion management: B (margin 4)
  • emotion sensemaking: B (margin 3)
  • meeting prefs and needs: B (margin 5)
codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

or-gemma-4-31b vs codex-gpt-6-astra: codex-gpt-6-astra wins

  • attunement: B (margin 4)
  • authenticity: B (margin 3)
  • bond and rapport: B (margin 4)
  • emotion management: B (margin 4)
  • emotion sensemaking: B (margin 3)
  • meeting prefs and needs: B (margin 4)
claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

or-qwen3.8-27b vs codex-gpt-6-astra: codex-gpt-6-astra wins

  • attunement: B (margin 2)
  • authenticity: B (margin 2)
  • bond and rapport: B (margin 2)
  • emotion management: B (margin 2)
  • emotion sensemaking: B (margin 1)
  • meeting prefs and needs: B (margin 3)