What payment election means in Workday

Payment election is the step where you tell Workday which bank account to send your paycheck to and how much of your pay goes to each account. When your employer uses Workday, you do not receive a paper check by default — the system requires you to choose a destination for your money before your first paycheck processes. Payment election is your chance to set that up.

In Workday, you typically make this choice through the employee portal, usually under a section called "Pay" or "Payroll". You enter your bank routing number, account number, and account type (checking or savings). You can split your paycheck across multiple accounts — for example, 80% to checking and 20% to savings — or send it all to one place. Once you submit your election, Workday holds it on file until you change it.

The system does not automatically know where your money should go. If you do not complete payment election before your pay date, your paycheck may be delayed, held, or returned to your employer's payroll department. Some employers offer a temporary paper check while you sort out direct deposit, but many do not.

Key Takeaways

  • Payment election is where you enter your bank account details so Workday knows where to deposit your paycheck.
  • You can split your pay across multiple accounts or send all of it to one bank account in a single election.
  • Most employers require you to complete payment election before your first paycheck, or your pay may be delayed.
  • You can change your payment election at any time, though changes may not take effect until the next pay cycle depending on your employer's payroll schedule.
  • Workday encrypts your banking information and does not store it in plain text, but you are responsible for entering the correct account details.

Where to find payment election in Workday

Log into your Workday employee portal using the credentials your employer gave you. Look for a section labeled "Pay", "Payroll", "Direct Deposit", or "Payment Information" — the exact name varies by employer. Some companies put it under "My Accounts" or "Personal Information".

Once you find the section, you will see a form asking for your bank's routing number, your account number, and the account type. Some employers also ask for the bank name, though Workday can usually look this up from the routing number. If you cannot find the payment election section, contact your HR or payroll department — they can walk you through the portal or send you a direct link.

What information you need to enter

Have your bank account details ready before you start. You will need your routing number (a nine-digit code that identifies your bank), your account number (usually 8 to 17 digits), and your account type (checking or savings). You can find all three on the bottom left of a paper check, or by logging into your bank's website or calling the bank directly.

Double-check the routing number and account number before you submit. A single digit wrong means your paycheck goes to the wrong account, and recovering it takes time. If you are unsure, call your bank and read the numbers back to them to confirm. Some employers also ask whether the account is in your name alone or a joint account — answer accurately, because banks may reject deposits to accounts that do not match the name on your employment record.

Splitting your paycheck across multiple accounts

Workday lets you divide your paycheck between two or more accounts in a single election. For example, you might send $2,000 to checking and $500 to savings, or send a fixed dollar amount to one account and the remainder to another. You set the split when you create your payment election, and it stays in place until you change it.

To split your pay, add a second account in the payment election form. Workday will ask you to specify either a dollar amount or a percentage for each account. If you choose percentage, make sure the percentages add up to 100%. If you choose dollar amounts, Workday sends the remainder to whichever account you mark as primary. You can add or remove accounts at any time, though the change usually takes effect on the next pay cycle.

When payment election changes take effect

Changes to your payment election do not always take effect immediately. Most employers have a payroll cutoff date — a point after which changes cannot be processed for the current pay cycle. If you change your election after the cutoff, the change waits until the next pay period. Some employers process payroll weekly, others biweekly or monthly, so the timing varies.

Before you change your payment election, check your employer's payroll schedule or ask HR when the cutoff is. If you need the change to take effect urgently — for example, because your bank account is closing — contact payroll directly rather than relying on the portal. They may be able to process a manual change or issue a paper check for that cycle while your new account takes effect on the next one.

What happens if you do not complete payment election

If your first pay date arrives and you have not set up payment election, your paycheck does not automatically go anywhere. Some employers hold the check in the payroll office and notify you to complete the election. Others issue a paper check as a temporary measure. A few employers stop processing your pay until you submit your banking information, which can create a gap in your income.

The safest approach is to complete payment election on your first day of work or as soon as you receive your Workday login. Do not wait until the day before your first paycheck. If you miss the deadline and your pay is delayed, contact your HR or payroll department immediately — they can often expedite a manual deposit or paper check while your direct deposit election processes.

Security and protecting your banking information

Workday encrypts the banking information you enter, meaning it is scrambled in transit and at rest in the system. Your employer's payroll team can see that you have direct deposit set up, but they do not see your full account number in most cases — Workday masks it after you enter it. However, you are responsible for entering the correct information and protecting your login credentials.

Do not share your Workday password with anyone, and do not enter your banking information on a public or shared computer. If you suspect someone has accessed your account or your direct deposit has been changed without your permission, contact your HR department and your bank immediately. Your bank can reverse fraudulent deposits and help you secure your account. Workday also has an audit trail that shows when your payment election was changed and from which device, so your employer can investigate if needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my payment election after I have already set one up?

Yes. Log back into Workday, find the payment election section, and update your bank account details or split. The change usually takes effect on your next paycheck, depending on your employer's payroll cutoff. If you need it to take effect sooner, contact payroll directly.

What if I enter the wrong account number?

Your paycheck will go to the wrong account. Contact your bank and the account holder to ask them to return the funds, then contact your employer's payroll department to correct your election. They may issue a replacement check or manually deposit the correct amount once your account is updated. This is why double-checking before you submit is critical.

Can I have my paycheck sent to someone else's bank account?

No. Direct deposit must go to an account in your name or a joint account where you are listed as an owner. Banks reject deposits to accounts that do not match the name on your employment record. If you need to transfer money to someone else after it is deposited, you can do that through your bank after the paycheck arrives.

What if my employer does not use Workday for direct deposit?

Some employers use Workday for timekeeping and HR but handle payroll through a separate system. Ask your HR or payroll department which system manages direct deposit — it may be ADP, Gusto, Paychex, or another provider. Each system has its own payment election process, though they all ask for the same basic information.

Do I have to set up direct deposit, or can I get a paper check?

That depends on your employer's policy. Many employers require direct deposit and do not issue paper checks. Others offer both options. Check your employee handbook or ask HR what your choices are. If your employer requires direct deposit and you do not have a bank account, some credit unions and online banks offer accounts with no minimum balance or monthly fee.