How Workday® Supports Employees & Contractors

For many organisations, Workday® is the backbone of HR, payroll, and workforce management. But what does it mean for employees and contractors who use it every day? Understanding the key modules can help individuals navigate the platform efficiently, take control of their own information, and appreciate how it supports the organisation as a whole.

1. Core HR: Your Personal Hub

The Core HR module is the foundation of Workday®. It stores your personal and employment information, including contact details, job title, reporting line, and employment type.

From an employee or contractor perspective:

  • You can update your contact information, emergency contacts, and personal details without HR intervention.
  • You can view your contract, role history, and organisational structure, giving you clarity on your position and career progression.
  • For managers, this module allows approval of changes, time-off requests, and reporting of employee data.

Why it matters: Core HR centralises your information, ensuring accuracy, transparency, and consistency across the organisation.

2. Recruiting and Onboarding: From Offer to First Day

Workday®’s Recruiting and Onboarding modules guide new hires and contractors through joining the organisation.

Key features for employees:

  • Accepting job offers and reviewing contract details digitally.
  • Completing pre-boarding tasks such as uploading documents, signing compliance forms, and setting up direct deposit.
  • Accessing induction materials, policies, and learning resources before day one.

Why it matters: These modules ensure a smooth, structured transition into the organisation, reducing confusion and helping you become productive faster.

3. Time and Absence: Tracking Your Work and Leave

The Time and Absence module lets employees and contractors record hours, request time off, and view leave balances.

From a user’s perspective:

  • Submit holiday requests or sick leave digitally.
  • Track working hours for salaried or contractor roles.
  • View accruals for annual leave, parental leave, or other entitlements.

Why it matters: This module makes managing work schedules and entitlements simple, transparent, and compliant with organisational policies.

4. Payroll: Getting Paid Accurately

Workday®’s Payroll module handles salary, deductions, and benefits for employees and contractors.

Key benefits for users:

  • Access payslips and tax information online at any time.
  • View deductions for pensions, taxes, and benefits.
  • Ensure any corrections are tracked and resolved promptly.

Why it matters: Payroll accuracy is critical. This module provides confidence that you’re paid correctly and on time.

5. Benefits and Compensation: Managing Your Package

Workday® allows employees to see and manage their benefits and compensation:

  • Review healthcare, pension, or insurance options.
  • Enrol in benefits and make changes during open periods.
  • View total compensation statements, including bonuses and allowances.

Why it matters: Employees can take control of their benefits and understand the full value of their package.

6. Learning and Development: Growing in Your Role

The Learning module supports professional development:

  • Access mandatory compliance training and optional skill-building courses.
  • Track completed learning, certifications, and career progression pathways.
  • Managers can assign learning based on role requirements or career plans.

Why it matters: This module ensures continuous development and helps employees and contractors grow within the organisation.

7. Performance and Feedback: Staying Aligned

Workday®’s Performance module enables regular feedback, goal-setting, and performance evaluations:

  • Set personal and team objectives aligned with organisational goals.
  • Receive feedback from managers or peers in a structured manner.
  • Track achievements and areas for development.

Why it matters: Transparent performance management helps employees understand expectations, measure progress, and plan next steps.

8. Reporting and Insights: Visibility on Your Data

Finally, Workday® provides self-service reporting and dashboards:

  • View your own data, such as time-off history, payslips, or learning progress.
  • Managers can access team-level analytics to monitor engagement, performance, and compliance.

Why it matters: Insights empower both employees and managers to make informed decisions based on accurate, real-time data.

Final Thoughts

By understanding Workday® through the lens of an employee or contractor, it’s clear that the platform is designed to make HR, payroll, and personal development easier, more transparent, and more reliable. From updating personal details and tracking leave, to accessing payslips and managing learning, each module supports both individual needs and organisational goals.

Workday® isn’t just an administrative tool—it’s a central hub for your career, pay, and personal development, ensuring that both employees and organisations can operate efficiently and confidently.

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