diff --git a/src/pages/RequestDetail/RequestDetail.tsx b/src/pages/RequestDetail/RequestDetail.tsx
index fb443f9..b0f9977 100644
--- a/src/pages/RequestDetail/RequestDetail.tsx
+++ b/src/pages/RequestDetail/RequestDetail.tsx
@@ -835,6 +835,14 @@ function RequestDetailInner({
     return null;
   }, [requestIdentifier, dynamicRequests, apiRequest]);
 
+  // Check if current user is the initiator
+  const isInitiator = useMemo(() => {
+    if (!request || !user) return false;
+    const userEmail = (user as any)?.email?.toLowerCase();
+    const initiatorEmail = request.initiator?.email?.toLowerCase();
+    return userEmail === initiatorEmail;
+  }, [request, user]);
+
   // Get all existing participants for validation
   const existingParticipants = useMemo(() => {
     if (!request) return [];
@@ -1558,8 +1566,8 @@ function RequestDetailInner({
                                 </p>
                               )}
 
-                              {/* Skip Approver Button - Only show for pending/in-review levels */}
-                              {(isActive || step.status === 'pending') && !isCompleted && !isRejected && step.levelId && (
+                              {/* Skip Approver Button - Only show for initiator on pending/in-review levels */}
+                              {isInitiator && (isActive || step.status === 'pending') && !isCompleted && !isRejected && step.levelId && (
                                 <div className="mt-2 sm:mt-3 pt-2 sm:pt-3 border-t border-gray-200">
                                   <Button 
                                     variant="outline" 
@@ -1860,7 +1868,8 @@ function RequestDetailInner({
                   <CardTitle className="text-sm sm:text-base">Quick Actions</CardTitle>
                 </CardHeader>
                 <CardContent className="space-y-2">
-                  {!isSpectator && (
+                  {/* Only initiator can add approvers */}
+                  {isInitiator && (
                     <Button 
                       variant="outline" 
                       className="w-full justify-start gap-2 bg-white text-gray-700 border-gray-300 hover:bg-gray-50 hover:text-gray-900 h-9 sm:h-10 text-xs sm:text-sm"
@@ -1870,6 +1879,7 @@ function RequestDetailInner({
                       Add Approver
                     </Button>
                   )}
+                  {/* Non-spectators can add spectators */}
                   {!isSpectator && (
                     <Button 
                       variant="outline"