On-Call Notifications

Keep users informed before, during, and after their scheduled shifts.

Upstat supports notifications that help users stay aware of upcoming on-call responsibilities and real-time shift changes. These notifications are based on the current roster schedule, substitutions, and timezone settings.

Notification Timing

Notifications are sent automatically at key moments:

Shift Start Reminder
Users receive a reminder shortly before their shift begins.
Substitution Notification
Both the substituted user and the replacement are notified when a substitution is created or modified.
Escalation Alerts
If a monitor or incident triggers an escalation during a shift, the currently active on-call user receives that alert.

Notification timing is based on the roster’s defined timezone, not the viewer’s local system clock.

Timezone Awareness

Users receive notifications in the context of the roster’s timezone, but emails and alerts will clearly indicate:

The start and end of their shift in the roster’s timezone
Their local timezone equivalents if different
Who they are substituting for (if applicable)

This ensures clarity even across distributed teams.

Substitution Notifications

When a substitution is created:

The original user (who is being replaced) is notified
The replacement user (substitute) is notified
Both users are shown in the timeline with visual indicators

This keeps everyone aligned without relying on external communication.

Notification Channels

Currently supported or planned channels include:

Email
SMS
Slack (coming soon)
Web-based alerts and banners (when logged in)

You’ll be able to manage which channels are enabled on a per-user basis in notification settings (coming soon).

Summary

Users receive timely reminders before their shift starts
Substitution events notify both parties involved
Notifications respect roster-defined timezones
Future updates will expand notification channels and preferences

Learn more