New Features

Competencies – Self-Rating Notes 📝

Learners are now able to add written notes when submitting a self-rating for a competency. This allows them to explain or expand on the rating they’ve selected, providing additional context alongside their self-assessment. The note is saved with the self-rating, can be viewed and edited by the learner, and includes a 500-character limit with a live character counter.

Why this matters
Previously, learners could only submit a numeric self-rating, which lacks the context behind their choice. This made it harder for managers to understand the reasoning behind a score and limited the quality of follow-up conversations. Allowing learners to add notes improves clarity, reflection, and the overall review experience for both learners and managers.

Key benefits
✅ Better learner experience: Learners can explain their reasoning, reflect on progress, and add meaningful context to their self-rating.
✅ More informed reviews: Managers can see why a rating was given, leading to clearer understanding.
✅ Improved conversations: Additional context supports more constructive and focused discussions during competency reviews.
✅ Clear input guidance: A 500-character limit with a live counter helps learners keep notes concise and relevant.

WFM – Absence Request Availability 🗓️

Mapal One will only display absence types that are configured as requestable in the database. Absence types marked as non-requestable are excluded from the absence selection dropdown, ensuring employees can only request valid and supported absence options.

Why this matters
Previously, employees could see and request absence types that were configured as non-requestable, which could lead to confusion, invalid requests, and additional manual handling by managers. Aligning Mapal One with backend configuration ensures absence requests follow the intended business rules.

Key benefits
✅ Clearer absence selection: Employees only see absence types that are valid and requestable.
✅ Reduced invalid requests: Prevents submission of absences that should not be requested.
✅ Config-driven behaviour: Changes to requestable absence types are controlled via database configuration.
✅ Improved efficiency: Less manual intervention needed to reject or correct invalid absence requests.

Engagement – Flag a Post 🚩

Employees using Mapal One can now flag forum posts and news posts directly from the post itself. A three-dot (more options) menu will be available on posts, giving employees the ability to report content they believe is inappropriate or concerning. Users will not be able to flag their own posts.

Why this matters
Users need to be able to flag comments or chat to report to report inappropriate content at the post level. Extending flagging to forum and news posts will improve content moderation, help surface issues earlier, and support a safer and more trusted engagement space.

Key benefits
✅ Improved content safety: Users will be able to report inappropriate forum and news posts directly.
✅ Consistent moderation experience: Post-level flagging will align with existing flagging behaviour for comments.
✅ Clear user controls: The three-dot menu will provide an intuitive and familiar way to flag content.
✅ Reduced misuse: Users will not be able to flag posts they have created themselves.

Mapal One – Updated App Icon & Store Branding 🎨

Mapal One has been updated with a refreshed app icon and new App Store and Google Play Store images that reflect the approved Mapal brand. This update ensures the app’s visual identity aligns with current brand guidelines across the app icon and store presence.

Why this matters
By ensuring the app icon and store imagery is kept up to date the product accurately represents the Mapal brand and delivers a more cohesive and professional experience for both existing and new users.

Key benefits
✅ Brand consistency: The app will reflect the approved Mapal colours and visual identity across platforms.
✅ Improved first impressions: New users will see updated branding and imagery when viewing Mapal One in app stores.
✅ Clear visual refresh: Existing users will see the updated app icon after updating the app, reinforcing the brand update.
✅ Professional presentation: Store listings will better represent the Mapal product portfolio and brand standards.