Staying on top of your schedule, punches, and overtime at Kroger can be stressful if you must log into MyTime every time something changes. Notifications can save you time and prevent missed shifts, timecard issues, and unexpected overtime. This guide explains what notifications you can expect, how to enable them on your device, how they work behind the scenes, and what to do if alerts do not arrive. Where possible I use official vendor documentation and I call out the areas that depend on Kroger configuration or come from employee reports.
Short summary of certainty: Kroger uses MyTime which integrates with UKG technology. UKG documents show that actionable push and email notifications for events like missed punch and overtime approaching exist. Whether every Kroger store or role gets every notification depends on local configuration.
Notifications let you receive important MyTime updates without repeatedly logging in. They can warn you about schedule changes, missing punches, and possible overtime. In systems built on UKG Dimensions, these alerts can even be actionable so you can respond from the notification itself. This article tells you how to set up and troubleshoot notifications and what limitations to expect based on current public documentation and employee reports.
What MyTime Kroger Notifications Do?
Why Notifications Matter for Kroger Employees?
- Save time by avoiding repetitive logins to check for changes.
- Reduce missed shifts and late arrivals with shift reminders.
- Catch missed punches early to avoid pay problems.
- Get early warnings about overtime so you can manage hours.
These are high value for hourly retail workers where schedules change frequently and payroll accuracy matters. The vendor platform used by Kroger supports these use cases.
Types of Notifications Available
Based on vendor functionality and public reports, common notification types include:
- Shift reminder alerts (remind you before a shift)
- Schedule change notifications (manager edits to shifts)
- Punch alerts (missed punch, late in/out)
- Overtime approaching or reached alerts
UKG’s documentation lists Missed Punch, Overtime Approaching, Overtime Reached, Shift Swap and other actionable notifications that can be delivered via mobile push or email. Again, Kroger must enable these for stores/employees to receive them.
How These Notifications Work Behind the Scenes?
The UKG Connection
Kroger’s MyTime integrates with workforce management platforms similar to UKG Dimensions or UKG Pro. UKG documents confirm the platform supports timekeeping alert profiles and actionable notifications such as Missed Punch and Overtime Approaching. That means the infrastructure exists to notify associates by push or email and allow certain quick actions from the notification itself. However, corporate or store administrators decide which alerts are enabled.
Company Configuration Matters
Even though UKG supports many notification types, a store or region may not enable every alert. That is why some Kroger associates report receiving schedule change notifications while others do not. If you do not see a specific alert option in your MyTime app, it may simply be disabled for your location. Where possible, ask your manager or scheduler to check the store configuration.
How To Enable MyTime Notifications on Your Mobile Device?
Below are practical steps to make sure your device accepts push notifications and the MyTime app can deliver them.
Steps for Android Users
- Install the MyTime or UKG mobile app if your company uses UKG.
- Open the app and look for Profile or Settings then Notification or Alert Settings. If present, toggle the notification types you want.
- On Android, go to Settings → Apps → MyTime/UKG → Notifications and ensure Allow notifications is enabled.
- Disable battery optimization for the app to prevent the system from blocking background alerts.
- Ensure the app is updated in Google Play so you have the latest notification features.
Steps for iPhone Users
- Install the MyTime or UKG mobile app.
- On iPhone, open Settings → scroll to the app → Notifications → Allow Notifications and set alert style.
- Enable Background App Refresh for the app to let it fetch updates in the background.
- Keep the app up to date in the App Store.
Note: If you cannot find Notification settings inside the app, the app may not expose user level toggles for every alert. In that case the store-level configuration determines which alerts you receive.
Setting Up Shift Reminders
Why Shift Reminders Help?
Shift reminders reduce late arrivals and missed shifts. They are a low friction way to ensure you see your upcoming shifts at a glance and make adjustments if needed.
How to Configure Shift Reminder Alerts?
- Look inside the MyTime mobile app under Notifications or Schedule settings for a Shift Reminder option. Some apps allow options like 1 hour before, 3 hours before, or night before.
- If you do not see shift reminder options, verify device permissions and ask your manager whether shift reminder notifications are enabled for your store. Because the precise menu labels differ between app versions and company rollouts, you may need to explore the app or contact local support.
Evidence note: vendors like UKG support shift related notifications; however Kroger has not published a universal MyTime user manual listing these exact per user settings.
How To Enable Overtime Warnings?
Why Overtime Alerts Are Useful?
Overtime alerts help you manage hours and avoid unplanned overtime pay or scheduling conflicts. If your position aims to stay under set weekly hours, an early alert is very helpful.
How To Turn On Overtime Notifications?
- In systems based on UKG, an administrator creates timekeeping alert profiles for Overtime Approaching and Overtime Reached and sets thresholds for when to notify employees.
- If you do not see an overtime option in your MyTime app you should speak with your scheduler or HR to confirm whether the overtime alerts are enabled for your role. The functionality exists in the WFM platform, but activation is at the company or store level.
How To Activate Punch Alerts?
Why Punch Alerts Matter
Missing or incorrect punches create pay issues and extra administrative work. A timely missed punch alert gives you a chance to fix the problem quickly.
How To Set Punch In and Punch Out Alerts
- Punch alerts such as Missed Punch are standard alert types in UKG platforms and can be configured to send push notifications or email.
- Often these alerts are set up by timekeepers or payroll administrators rather than employees. If you want missed punch alerts enabled for your role, ask your timekeeper or manager to check whether the workflow notification for Missed Punch is active for your store.
How To Turn On Schedule Change Alerts?
How Schedule Update Alerts Work
When managers edit schedules, the scheduling system can trigger a Schedule Change event which then sends notifications to affected employees. This lets you react quickly to shift swaps or cancellations.
How To Activate Schedule Change Notifications
- Look for Schedule or Shift Change alerts inside the app notification settings and enable push and email alerts.
- If the option is missing, ask your manager whether schedule change notifications are enabled in the store’s scheduling configuration. Employee reports show some associates see reliable schedule alerts but experiences vary.
Troubleshooting Notification Issues
Fixes for Android
- Ensure app notifications are allowed at the system level.
- Turn off battery optimization for the app.
- Update the app and reinstall if notifications are still missing.
- Clear cache for the app to resolve delivery glitches.
Fixes for iPhone
- Confirm Notifications are allowed in iPhone settings.
- Turn off Focus or Do Not Disturb modes that block alerts.
- Enable Background App Refresh.
- Update the app and reboot the device.
Common Mistakes Employees Make
- Using the wrong app: confirm whether Kroger uses a Kroger branded MyTime app or UKG mobile app in your region.
- Assuming all stores have the same configuration: alert availability may differ by location.
- Not checking system level permissions: device settings often block notifications even when the app is configured correctly.
Best Practices to Stay Updated Without Logging In
Customize Notification Preferences
Enable only the alerts you need so you do not miss important items in a flood of unnecessary messages.
Keep the App Updated
Updates often fix notification bugs and add improvements. Keep your app on the latest version.
Allow Background Data and Refresh
Make sure background refresh is enabled so your device can receive push alerts in real time.
Verify with Local Admins
If a needed alert is missing, ask your manager, timekeeper, or payroll admin to confirm whether the alert profile is enabled for your store. Administrators are the ones who can turn on or tune many alert types.
Important Caveats and Transparency
- Vendor support is real but company configuration varies: UKG documentation demonstrates actionable notifications for Missed Punch, Overtime Approaching, Shift Swap and more. That proves the system can do these things. But Kroger must enable these at the store or corporate level for associates to receive them. Do not assume every alert is turned on for every associate.
- Official Kroger published step by step settings are limited: Kroger does not currently publish a comprehensive public MyTime notification manual listing every per user toggle. For exact behavior at your location, check with store leadership or the MyTime help desk.
- Employee reports are useful but anecdotal: Forum posts and community comments confirm that many associates receive schedule change and missed punch alerts, but experiences are mixed across regions. Treat such reports as indicative, not definitive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why am I not getting MyTime notifications?
Check device notification settings, ensure app permissions and background refresh are enabled, confirm you are using the correct app, and ask your manager whether the specific alert type is enabled.
Are MyTime notifications actionable?
UKG supports actionable notifications where you can take quick actions from the alert. Whether Kroger has enabled actionable behavior for each alert depends on their configuration.
Will I get overtime warnings before I go into overtime?
If your store uses UKG timekeeping alert profiles and has enabled Overtime Approaching or a similar notification, yes. Ask your scheduler if these alerts are active for your role.
Who can enable missed punch or overtime alerts?
Store schedulers, payroll admins or HR administrators typically set up these workflow notifications. Contact them if you want an alert enabled.
Conclusion
Notifications are a major time saver and a practical way to stay updated without logging into MyTime constantly. The platform Kroger uses supports push and email alerts for missed punches, schedule changes, and overtime warnings. The only limitation is that Kroger or the local store must enable those alerts for employees. If you do not receive the alerts you expect, check your device settings and consult your manager or MyTime support so they can verify whether those alerts are enabled for your store.