> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://blog.jestor.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# What to Do When an Approver Is Unavailable
- URL: https://blog.jestor.com/when-an-approver-is-unavailable/
- Published: 2026-09-17T22:34:49.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-17T22:34:49.000Z
- Author: Bruno Bannach

Deciding what happens **when an approver is unavailable** is a question most approval processes answer only after the first time it causes a problem.

## The three bad options

Each one appears when nothing was planned.

- Everything waits until they return
- Someone else approves informally, with no record
- The rule is bypassed entirely for urgent cases

## Better approaches

| Approach                           | Preserves control?                          |
| ---------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------- |
| **Reassign the cost centre owner** | Yes — the record shows who approved         |
| **Multiple responsible users**     | Yes — either can approve, both are recorded |
| **An escalation phase on delay**   | Yes — triggered by time, not by judgement   |
| **Informal approval**              | No — nothing is recorded                    |

## How to configure it in Jestor

1. Use a multiple-users field on the **cost center** record in **Jestor** so more than one person can approve.
2. Reassign the responsible person temporarily when someone is away, and reverse it on return.
3. Enable log metrics so time waiting in the approval phase is recorded.
4. Add an escalation phase triggered by dwell time rather than by someone noticing.
5. Review the **SLA** data afterwards to see whether cover actually worked.

## Why choose Jestor for resilient approvals?

Deciding what happens **when an approver is unavailable** is simple here: because routing in **Jestor** reads the cost centre's responsible users, cover is a data change on one record rather than a reconfiguration of the process.

Whoever approves is recorded on the request either way, so temporary cover does not weaken the audit trail — which is the usual objection to allowing it.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Can more than one person approve?

Yes, using a multiple-users field on the cost centre. See [jestor.com](https://jestor.com/?ref=blog.jestor.com).

### Is the actual approver still recorded?

Yes, on the request with its history.

### Can escalation trigger on delay?

Yes, using the dwell time recorded per phase.

## Video Tutorial: Step by Step

Check out other practical tutorials on the Jestor YouTube channel.

## Get to know Jestor

With **Jestor**, you can automate workflows, connect teams, and build internal systems your way — all without code and powered by **AI**. Discover Jestor at [jestor.com](https://jestor.com/?ref=blog.jestor.com) and see how to take your company's operations to a new level of efficiency and control.