Getting Started for Employees

Reference Guide

This reference guide provides an overview of common Employee Self-Service functionality in Workday, such as how to view and perform tasks in your profile and familiarizing yourself with your home page applications. It follows the format of our Employee Self-Service in Workday eLearning.

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Workday Overview

Workday is a global system that is used across WashU. It is a cloud-based system and can be accessed on any internet enabled device. At WashU, Workday is used for Financial Management, Human Capital Management, and Student Information Management. It is the source system to retrieve employee job-related information as well as financial information and student information. 

Logging into Workday

To log into Workday, follow the instructions below:

  1. Go to https://www.myworkday.com/wustl/d/home.htmld
  1. Enter your WashU key credentials. 
  1. Click the Login button.  
  1. If this is your first time logging into your WashU key, you will also need to setup your WashU 2FA identity verification. Learn how to set up WashU 2FA
  1. Choose an authentication method from the following:
    • Duo Push: You will receive a Push Notification on your registered mobile number. 
    • Call Me: You will receive an authentication call. 
    • Passcode: You will receive a Passcode on your registered mobile number, and you need to enter the Passcode to proceed. 
  1. Verify your identity based on the method selected. 
  2. This directs you to another screen that displays two options: Remember Device or Skip. Click Remember Device and Submit
Workday remember device screen

You should now be successfully logged into Workday. 

For information about logging into mobile, please reference the Mobile Setup for Workday reference guide

Workday Global Header

The Global Header is the section at the very top of the page, and is present on all screens throughout Workday to allow you to quickly access functionality from anywhere in the system.

Element NameDescriptionIcon
Global Navigation MenuDisplays a list of up to 20 applications and up to 10 shortcuts that you define.Workday profile icon 
HomeThe WashU shield redirects you to the Home page from any page in Workday. WashU shield home
SearchA field that enables you to find tasks, reports, and people within the organization. Suggestions will appear below the field as you type, or you can press Enter or select the Search icon to see all results.Search field
NotificationsThe notifications area contains information such as actions submitted or items successfully completed in Workday which do not require any further actions in Workday.Workday profile icon
My TasksMy Tasks is an important navigation feature which contains actionable items related to your role in Workday.Inbox section
Profile Your Workday profile contains a link to your worker information under categories like job, education, compensation, benefits, contact information and organizational structure. It is also where you can manage some system preferences like notifications and your default My Tasks filter. If you upload a picture into Workday, you will see that instead of the icon.  
Workday profile icon

Applications

Applications provide quick access to common tasks and reports. They appear as Apps on the Global Navigation menu and in the Your Top Apps section of the Home page, and represent different collections of tasks that you can perform in Workday. Refer to the Workday Applications reference guide for more information about applications.


Common Applications

These common applications allow you to easily initiate Employee Self-Service tasks or view information.

Personal Information 

On the left, you will find menu options that will allow you to update personal information for yourself, such as your Contact InformationPersonal Information, and Emergency Contacts.

On the right, you will be able to select from a menu listing information that is on file for you in Workday. By clicking on the About Me option, you will be taken to your worker profile where you can view the different facets of your worker profile. These include job details, compensation information, and benefits information. 

Personal Information applicaton

Absence

Workday displays your time off balances directly within the application. 

Absence app and balances
Available Balance as of Today view at the bottom of the Absence application.

You can request an absence or time off using this application. When you click on Request Absence, Workday will take you to your Absence Calendar which is where you can Request an Absence , such as vacation or sick time, for the future. Absence Requests route to your manager and your department’s timekeeper for approval.

For more information about requesting time off, please complete the Time Off in Workday for Employees eLearning. For step by step instructions, refer to the Request and Manage Absence for Yourself tutorial.

For information on requesting extended leaves of absence, refer to the Leaves of Absence reference guide.

Jobs Hub

Jobs Hub overview

The Jobs Hub provides a dashboard view of reports and actions available to internal candidates. See a summary of key features below:

  • Key Features
    • The Recently Added Jobs section displays recent job postings
    • Find Jobs displays all open job requisitions
    • My Applications provides access to both active and inactive applications and any tasks awaiting action from you
    • The new Suggested Links section provides direct access to the Skills and Experience report that can be updated prior to applying. 

For step by step instructions, refer to the Apply to Internal Job Posting tutorial.

Benefits and Pay

The Benefits and Pay hub provides a dashboard view of reports and actions related to pay, benefits and compensation.

Key Features

  • View your Payslips
  • Update your Withholding Elections or your Payment Elections, otherwise known as direct deposit information for regular payments (payroll) and expense payments. 
  • View your tax documents, such as your W-2

For benefits eligible employees, you will have access to the following tasks and reports.

  • View your current benefit elections
  • Update benefits elections due to life events
  • Update beneficiaries

For questions on updating your benefits, contact the WashU Benefits Team.

pay and benefits hub view

Time

The Time application is where you can find the web clock.

This application will only appear for workers who are hourly. You can check-in and check-out here if you are an hourly worker.

Time app to check in and out

For workers who currently use a physical time clock, the process for clocking in and out will not change for you.  

For a more detailed overview of Time Entry for hourly workers, please complete the Time Tracking for Employees in Workday eLearning.  Refer to the Enter Time tutorial for step-by-step instructions.

Expenses

Within this application, you can access the Create Expense Report and the Create Spend Authorization tasks to create your own expense report or spend authorization.

Expenses application

You can also view your Recent Expense Reports at the bottom of the page. To view your additional Expense Reports, click on the Expense Reports item under the View section. From here, you can filter on status and a date range to see your Expense Reports that meet those criteria. 

My expense reports

Refer to the Create Expense Report tutorial for step-by-step instructions to create an expense report.

Requests

The Request functionality in Workday allows users to submit requests that are specific to WashU processes and your security role in Workday. On the right side, you can find a list of request types that are available to you. Some common examples of requests are a Card Limit Change, Dependent Tuition Documentation, and Supplier Change/New Supplier. Please note that requests will route for approval. To create a request, select the Create Request option on the left side of the application. 

Requests application

For more details on creating specific requests, please search this website using the keywords “create request.”


Workday Home Page Sections

The Workday Home page is designed to surface information and provide access to tasks that matter to you in the moment that you need them. The Home page consists of the following sections that will vary based on your personal configuration settings as well as what is happening in Workday and at WashU.

Home Page Layout

Workday Home Page layout showing, from left to right and top down, global navigation icon, awaiting your action section, Your team, timely suggestions, my shortcuts, quick tasks, your top apps, view all apps and announcements

Global Navigation: Displays a list of up to 20 apps and My Shortcuts. Present on all Workday pages

Awaiting Your Action: Displays up to 3 of the most recent My Tasks items

Your Team: Visible only when it contains relevant information. Displays cards with timely and relevant information about direct reports or co-workers

Timely Suggestions: Displays cards with timely and relevant information for the worker

My Shortcuts: My Shortcuts has been moved from the header to the Global Navigation menu

Quick Tasks: Personalized tasks display for each user

Your Top Apps: Defaults to first four applications in alphabetical order. You can re-order these using the Global Navigation menu

View All Apps: Opens Global Navigation menu

Announcements: Important information that may need your attention. Click View More Announcements to view more than three.

Home Page Section Details

Awaiting Your Action

The “Awaiting Your Action” section displays up to three of your most recent My Tasks items. Click on any item to bring up the full task. Refer to the Workflow Management reference guide for more information about My Tasks.

inbox at upper left side of page

Your Team

This section is visible when it has relevant information about managers’ direct reports and other supported individuals in Workday.

Examples of cards that may appear in this section, along with when they appear and for whom, are listed below.

CardDescriptionVisible toClick to Access
Unapproved Time – Review TimeDisplays when you have unapproved time for a report in the current pay periodDirect Manager

Timekeeper
Review My Team’s Time
Upcoming Team AbsencesDisplays when a team member has approved time off or leave of absence within the next 30 daysAbsence Partner

Departmental HR Partner

Manager
List of Workers
Upcoming Team AnniversariesDisplays Sunday 2 weeks before the anniversary through the Saturday after.ManagerSend an Email to Worker
Upcoming Team BirthdaysDisplays Sunday 2 weeks before the birthday through the Saturday after. Displays only the month and day.ManagerSend an Email to Worker

Timely Suggestions

This section displays cards with timely and relevant information tailored to you depending on your upcoming tasks and activities in Workday. Examples of cards that may appear in this section, along with when they appear, are listed below.

CardDescriptionClick to Access
Add Credit Card Transactions to Expense ReportDisplays for workers who have credit card transactions that haven’t been added to an expense reportCreate Expense Report
Change My Emergency ContactsDisplays during promotional periodsChange My Emergency Contacts
Change My Home Contact InformationDisplays during promotional periodsChange My Home Contact Information
Check InAlways displays for hourly workersCheck In
Check OutAlways displays for hourly workersCheck Out
Evidence of Insurability ReminderDisplays for workers who have submitted benefit elections within the last 30 days that are awaiting evidence of insurabilityComplete Your Evidence of Insurability
Expiring CertificationsDisplays for workers who have a certification in Workday that have expired or will expire 10 days before or after today’s dateEdit Certification
PayslipsDisplays for workers who have a payslip available to view through 4 days after the pay dateMy Payslips
Upcoming Time OffDisplays for workers who have approved time off within the next 30 daysAbsence Calendar
View Available W-2’sDisplays for workers when W-2s are first available through April 15View My Tax Documents
View Available W-2C’sDisplays for workers when W-2Cs are first available through April 15View My Tax Documents
View Requisition CartDisplays for workers who have started a requisition but have not checked outView Cart

Quick Tasks

This section displays tasks that are personalized to each user. Workday will learn the tasks that you perform most frequently and display them here. It can take up to three weeks for the tasks you use most to be displayed.

Quick Tasks highlighted with My payslip, time off balance and request absence options

Your Top Apps

This section displays the top four applications in your Global Navigation menu. By default these are in alphabetical order, but you can change which applications display by re-ordering them. Refer to the Configure Global Navigation and Your Top Apps Tutorial for instructions.

Your Top Apps

View Information and Perform Tasks in Your Profile

Your profile has user information like your job-related details, contact information, organizational structure, compensation, and more. Follow the instructions to view information and perform certain tasks through your Workday Profile. 

Find Your Profile 

Find your Profile icon at the top right-hand corner of the screen. The Profile icon will appear as a generic icon unless you change your profile photo.

To find your profile, follow the instructions below: 

  1. Click the Profile icon for a drop-down menu to appear. 
  2. Click the View Profile button to open your full profile.  
home page with profile menu expanded
Access your profile from the top right side of any page.

View Your Profile

  1. The sidebar is used to view categories of profile information, such as Job, Compensation, and Benefits. When you click a category, you will see tabs on the top of the screen, these tabs provide additional information for each category.
  2. Some employees at WashU hold multiple positions. Click the icon with two arrows below the employee name to switch between the positions. Select the alternate role to view information on each position.  
Multiple positions selection

Perform Tasks and View Details 

  1. Click the Actions button to initiate tasks and view details. The Actions button is also used to take actions available based on the security access assigned to you. 
  2. Each action allows you to preview, create or change information.
Worker related actions
Profile related actions

Locate your Organizational Chart 

  1. Click the Team icon to view your organizational chart (Supervisory Organization). This includes information about your team, HR support and position higher up in the hierarchy with their teams.  
  2. To export the organizational chart, click the Print icon in the top right corner.
    • In the Print Org Chart window, complete the File Name, File Format (Excel, PowerPoint or PDF), and Levels fields. To include pictures, click the Include Pictures checkbox.
    • Click Print to download the file.
  3. To view additional jobs or supervisory organizations, select the Information icon next to the employee’s name.
    • A pop-out of Organizations of Last, First will appear right with information of who they are Manager of and Member of.
    • Select the Team icon to view the Org Chart; select the Org name to view the Supervisory Organization.
The Team icon is highlighted
Print Org Chart filed to fill in

Workday Features

Workday also offers some additional features like the Search bar, Links for business objects, Related ActionsFavorites, and others for your convenience. 

Search bar

  • The Search bar is the most used method to find people, tasks, and reports in Workday. All potential matches will appear below the Search bar as keywords are typed.
    • Note: Searches find exact matches and you will likely not see any results in case of an incorrect spelling.  
  • The Search Results page will vary slightly depending on if you are in Simplified Search or Classic Search view. There is an option to change your search results view by turning on or off the Simplified Search toggle.
    • Simplified Search view includes a categories section at the top with default categories that you can configure. Use the All Categories dropdown to see additional categories and the Edit Category Preferences to configure your search.
    • Classic Search view includes a Saved Categories section on the left with default categories that you can configure. Use the More Categories to see additional categories or configure your search.
    • Use the View Search Tips button on either view for tips for better ways to search
  • Refer to the Configure Search tutorial for step-by-step instructions to change your saved search categories or the order in which results categories appear.
  • You can use shorter terms to find more matches; and use longer search terms to improve the accuracy and reduce the time to return results. 
  • Search prefixes are used to restrict the search results to a specific Workday object. They are lowercase letters followed by a colon (:). To see a list of all search prefixes available to you, enter a question mark (?) in the Search bar.  
  • Use Contextual Search Categories to filter search results based on category. Click into the Search bar. Prior to typing text into the Search bar, you can indicate what category you are searching for by clicking an option under the I’m looking for… section.
    • For example, click the People option when searching for a person by name.
contextual search options
  • In Workday, a Link is an object found in blue font that is clickable. The Link allows you to go to that object and access more information about that object depending on your security roles.  
  • The Related Actions button is a clickable icon that allows you to perform additional actions on a person or object. Clicking the Related Actions icon will show various actions you can perform on a person or object. It can also show a list of reports related to an object based on your role and security permissions. Find the Related Actions icon typically next to hyperlinked text. The icon will display as grey initially and turns blue when a cursor hovers over it.  
In the Job Details field, the section for Supervisory Org is highlighted and an arrow points to the related actions icon
Click on the related actions button (blue when you hover over it) to display the related actions and take further actions related to an object.
Related actions after clicking
The related actions will appear once you click on that button.

Favorites

This option allows you to add tasks, reports, and business objects (Cost Centers, Employees, Organizations) that you access frequently to Favorites on the Workday Home page.  

Refer to the Manage Favorites in Workday tutorial for instructions to add your most frequently used tasks, reports, and business objects to your Favorites application.


Related Resources


Need more help?


Request Support

If you need additional help, report an issue, or request services, call 314-935-WDAY or submit a ticket in ServiceNow.

training

Training

There is a variety of training available to you, whether for self-service functions or assigned based on your role.

Tips & Tricks

Visit Tips & Tricks for quick tips from the Workday Support Team and other WashU community members.