If an alternate approver isn’t receiving requests, the issue is usually related to how approval roles and notification preferences are configured.
📌 Note: You need HR Admin permissions to assign admin assistants and configure approval roles.
Understand how alternate approvers work
Admin assistants for a line manager can act as alternate approvers.
They can approve requests for users who report to that manager.
However, notification settings control whether they receive emails.
Check email notification settings
Click My Admin, then click Relationships.
Find Receive alternate approval emails.
Select the required option:
Always
Only if the primary approver is on holiday
Never
Confirm admin assistant setup
Ensure the user is assigned as a line manager’s admin assistant.
Check this in Manager and Admin Assistant.
Understand expected behaviour
Alternate approvers can approve requests even if they don’t receive emails.
Notification depends on their selected preferences.