How does Altra Staff send messages, and does my team need to download an app?
Messages go out as regular text messages (SMS), so staff can reply straight from their phone with no separate app to download. You can message a whole group at once (broadcast messaging) or message one staff member directly and keep the whole back-and-forth in one place (Conversations).
Can I attach a file to a message?
Yes — attach one or more files to any message, and staff can open or save them straight from the text they receive.
How does a staff member accept or decline a shift?
They receive a text with a link to the shift; tapping it shows the date, time and unit, with Accept Shift or Dismiss Shift buttons. Shifts go to whoever accepts first — if it’s already been taken, the staff member sees a message letting them know it’s been filled.
Can I send several shifts at once, to different people?
Yes — create multiple shifts together instead of one at a time, and each relevant staff member receives their shift by text.
How do I check who’s responded to a shift request?
From the shift’s page, see who’s read the message and who hasn’t, and who’s accepted or dismissed it — use the search box to check a specific staff member’s status quickly.
Can I add extra details to a shift, like what to bring?
Yes — add a note when creating the shift, and it appears alongside the shift details staff receive.
How do I add a new staff member?
One at a time (entering their details directly) or all together via a CSV upload — once added, you can send them shifts and messages straight away.
How do staff mark their own availability?
From their dashboard, they tap Add Availability, choose a date on the calendar, and mark it Day, Night, or All Day — confirmed dates show in green. Managers see every staff member’s availability in one place when building the schedule.
How do I add a new manager and control what they can access?
Enter their name, email and phone number — they’ll get an email to set a password. As an admin manager, you then choose exactly what each manager can access from the Managers section.