Overview
Early Bird Notifications are a LAL Pro feature that alerts you to new shifts at your favourite branches before free users.
If a shift starts in more than 12 hours, Pro users are notified instantly — giving you first access so you can secure the shifts you want.
This guide explains how Early Bird works and how to set it up.
Video Walkthrough
This video covers:
How to favourite branches
How to manage your favourites
How Early Bird timing works
How to enable shift notifications
How Early Bird Notifications Work
Early Bird Notifications apply only to your favourite branches and only to shifts starting in more than 12 hours.
LAL Pro users: notified instantly
Free users: notified hours later
Emergency shifts (starting in <12 hours): everyone notified at the same time
This gives Pro users a head start on popular shifts.
How to Favourite a Branch
Open the Search tab.
Look for shifts at the store you want to favourite.
Tap the shift card to open shift details.
Tap the ⭐ Favourite icon in the corner.
The branch is now added to your Favourite Branches list.
How to View or Remove Favourite Branches
Go to My Account.
Select Favourite Branches.
You’ll see all branches you’ve favourited.
Tap Bin icon to stop receiving Early Bird notifications for that location.
How to Enable Notifications
To receive Early Bird alerts, notifications must be switched on.
Go to My Account → Notification Settings.
Ensure Shift Alerts and Favourite Branches Shifts Alerts are toggled ON.
Check that your device allows notifications from Locate a Locum.
Common Questions Locums Ask
Why didn’t I receive an Early Bird Notification?
This can happen if:
The branch is not favourited
Notifications are turned off
Your device has notifications disabled for the app
Do Early Bird Notifications apply to all shifts?
No. They only apply to non-emergency shifts that start in more than 12 hours.
Can free users access Early Bird Notifications?
Free users with favourited branches receive the same shift alerts but hours later than LAL Pro users.
Can I favourite as many branches as I want?
Yes — there’s no limit.
If I remove a favourite branch, do Early Bird alerts stop immediately?
Yes. Removing a branch instantly stops notifications for that location.
⭐ Key Takeaways
Be the first to hear about new shifts at your favourite branches
Get a head start over free users
For emergency shifts all locums are notified instantly (starting in less than 12 hours).
Ensure favourite branches + notification settings are enabled
