You may occasionally notice that a manager does not see any subordinates listed under them, even though the organizational hierarchy appears to be set up correctly. This use case walks you through a common scenario where this can happen and explains what to review so everything works as expected.
The goal is to help you confidently validate your setup and understand how job assignments and permissions work together to drive visibility within the hierarchy.
The Scenario
In this situation, two managers exist within the same organizational structure:
- Manager A is assigned a single job (for example, a Supervisor role) that does not include any permissions tied to an Above Unit (AU) or specific Units.
- Manager B is assigned a managerial role (for example, an Assistant Head of Manager) that is directly associated with their own AU and includes Reporting permission.
Even though both users sit in the hierarchy correctly, only Manager B is able to see subordinates, while Manager A does not.
Why This Happens
Reporting visibility is influenced not only by hierarchy placement, but also by job assignments and their associated permissions.
If a manager’s assigned job does not include:
- Permissions linked to an AU or Units, or
- A role that grants reporting access,
then the system has no scope in which to display subordinate users—even if the reporting structure itself is accurate.
Meanwhile, a manager whose job does include AU- or Unit-based permissions will automatically have the appropriate visibility into their assigned users.
Recommended Guidance
To ensure managers can see their subordinates, review the following:
- Confirm the Job Assignment
Make sure the manager is assigned a job that is intended to carry management responsibility. - Check AU and Unit Associations
Verify that the job includes reporting permissions tied to the appropriate Above Unit or Units. - Compare with a Working Example
If another manager’s setup behaves as expected, comparing job assignments and permission configurations can quickly highlight what’s missing.
Key Takeaway
A correct hierarchy is an essential foundation, but visibility depends on pairing that structure with the right job assignments and permissions. By ensuring that managers have roles connected to the appropriate AUs or Units, you enable a clear and consistent experience across your organization.
If you keep these elements aligned, your hierarchy will function smoothly and as intended.