diff --git a/abstract_client.cpp b/abstract_client.cpp
--- a/abstract_client.cpp
+++ b/abstract_client.cpp
@@ -365,7 +365,8 @@
     if (isOnScreenDisplay())
         return OnScreenDisplayLayer;
     if (isNotification())
-        return NotificationLayer;
+        // Allows the notification service to put critical notifications on top
+        return keepAbove() ? OnScreenDisplayLayer : NotificationLayer;
     if (workspace()->showingDesktop() && belongsToDesktop()) {
         return AboveLayer;
     }