diff --git a/core/templates/core/payroll_dashboard.html b/core/templates/core/payroll_dashboard.html
index e26ebf1..378a33a 100644
--- a/core/templates/core/payroll_dashboard.html
+++ b/core/templates/core/payroll_dashboard.html
@@ -899,10 +899,22 @@
     {% endif %}
 
     {% else %}
-        {# Simple placeholder empty state — visual polish comes in Task 10 #}
-        <div class="adj-empty-state">
-            <div class="adj-empty-icon"><i class="fas fa-inbox"></i></div>
-            <p>No adjustments match these filters.</p>
+        {# No rows match the current filter set. Two recovery paths: clear filters (re-fetch unfiltered) or add a new adjustment (opens the existing #addAdjustmentModal). #}
+        <div class="adj-empty-state card">
+            <div class="card-body text-center py-5">
+                <div class="adj-empty-icon"><i class="fas fa-inbox"></i></div>
+                <h6 class="mb-2">No adjustments match these filters.</h6>
+                <p class="text-muted small mb-3">Try clearing filters or adding a new adjustment.</p>
+                <div class="d-flex gap-2 justify-content-center">
+                    <a href="?status=adjustments" class="btn btn-sm btn-outline-secondary">
+                        <i class="fas fa-times me-1"></i>Clear filters
+                    </a>
+                    <button type="button" class="btn btn-sm btn-accent"
+                            data-bs-toggle="modal" data-bs-target="#addAdjustmentModal">
+                        <i class="fas fa-plus me-1"></i>Add adjustment
+                    </button>
+                </div>
+            </div>
         </div>
     {% endif %}