We have 2 level approvals setup in our Service Catalog for certain templates.

These levels are defined as follows:

1. $REPORTING_TO$

2. $DEPT_HEAD$

Where $REPORTING_TO$ is automatically fetched from our Active Directory and it's represents the users's superior, while $DEPT_HEAD$ is defined manually in ServiceDesk as the dept. Manager or Director, depending on the department.

Now for some users $REPORTING_TO$ and $DEPT_HEAD$ are the same person, so that person gets approval notification 2 times which we would like to prevent.

Question is, how to keep this logic with 2 level approvals, but add some kind of logic if $REPORTING_TO$ == $DEPT_HEAD$ then don't trigger 2nd level approval.

Is there a built-in setting like this?

Otherwise can we solve it by any custom function / rule perhaps?

Please advise.