What Payment Election Means in Workday

Payment election in Workday is the process where you choose how and when you want to receive your paycheck — whether by direct deposit, check, or a combination of both. It's a one-time setup that tells Workday's payroll system where your money should go each pay period. Once you set it, the system follows those instructions automatically until you change them.

Most employers using Workday require you to complete payment election before your first paycheck processes. If you don't set it up, your employer may hold your pay or issue a check by default while you sort it out. The election itself takes a few minutes and lives in your Workday employee profile under the compensation or payroll section.

Key Takeaways

  • Payment election is where you tell Workday whether you want direct deposit, check, or both, and it must be completed before your first paycheck.
  • Direct deposit requires your bank's routing number and your account number, and most employers prefer it because it's faster and cheaper than printing checks.
  • You can split your paycheck between multiple accounts — for example, sending 80 percent to checking and 20 percent to savings — if your employer allows it.
  • Changes to your payment election usually take effect on the next pay cycle, not when ready, so plan ahead if you need to switch banks or accounts.
  • If you don't complete payment election, your employer may issue a physical check or delay your pay until you do.

Where to Find and Complete Payment Election in Workday

Log into your Workday account and look for the Pay or Payroll section in your employee profile. The exact location varies slightly depending on how your employer configured Workday, but it's usually under Personal Information or Compensation. Some employers label it Payment Methods or Direct Deposit Setup.

Once you find it, you'll see options to add a bank account. You'll need your bank's routing number (a nine-digit code that identifies your bank) and your account number (usually 10 to 12 digits). Both appear on the bottom left of a paper check, or you can call your bank or log into your online banking to find them. Enter the account type — checking or savings — and Workday will ask you to confirm the account is yours, usually by verifying a small deposit your employer makes to that account within a few days.

If your employer uses a payroll card instead of direct deposit, that option will appear in the same section. Some employers offer both, so you can choose which method works for you.

Direct Deposit Versus Check: What Happens After You Choose

If you choose direct deposit, your paycheck lands in your bank account on payday, usually one to two business days before a physical check would arrive. Your employer's payroll system sends the money electronically, and there's no check to deposit or lose. Direct deposit is also more find — there's no paper with your banking information sitting in a mailbox.

If you choose check, Workday tells your payroll department to print a physical check with your name and the amount. You'll pick it up from your employer or have it mailed to an address you provide. Checks take longer to clear at the bank (usually three to five business days after you deposit them) and require you to physically deposit them, which adds a step.

Many employers now require direct deposit or charge a fee for check printing. Check your employer's payroll policy to see if there are costs or restrictions. Some employers let you split your paycheck — for instance, 90 percent to checking and 10 percent to savings — which requires setting up multiple accounts in payment election.

How to Change Your Payment Election After Setup

You can change your payment election at any time by going back to the same section in Workday and editing your bank account information or adding a new account. However, the change won't take effect when ready. Most employers process payroll several days before payday, so if you change your election on a Wednesday and payday is Friday, that Friday's check will still go to your old account.

The safest approach is to change your election at least one full pay cycle before you need the new account active. If you're switching banks, set up the new account in Workday, wait for the next pay cycle to begin, and then remove the old account. This prevents your paycheck from bouncing or getting lost between systems.

If you need to change your election urgently — for example, your bank account was compromised — contact your payroll department directly. They may be able to manually override the system for that pay period while you update Workday.

What Happens If You Don't Complete Payment Election

If payday arrives and you haven't set up payment election, your employer has a few options. Some will hold your paycheck until you complete the setup, which means you don't get paid on time. Others will issue a physical check by default and ask you to set up direct deposit for future pay periods. A few employers use a payroll card as the fallback, which functions like a debit card loaded with your paycheck.

The longer you wait, the more pay periods you may miss or receive by check. It's worth completing payment election as soon as your employer tells you to — usually during onboarding or before your first day. If you're unsure whether you've completed it, log into Workday and check the Pay section. If it's blank or says "pending," you still need to finish the setup.

Common Issues and How to Fix Them

The most common problem is entering the wrong routing or account number. If your paycheck doesn't arrive on payday, check that both numbers are correct. Your bank's website or a phone call to customer service can confirm the routing number — don't rely on memory. If the numbers are wrong, Workday may reject the deposit and your employer may issue a check instead while you fix it.

Another issue is trying to use an account at a bank that doesn't accept ACH transfers (the electronic system that moves payroll money). Most banks accept ACH, but some online-only banks or credit unions have restrictions. If your bank rejects the deposit, try a different account or ask your bank whether they accept payroll deposits.

If you set up direct deposit but the money goes to the wrong account, check whether you accidentally entered a savings account number when you meant to use checking, or vice versa. Workday doesn't always catch these mistakes. Contact your payroll department with the transaction details, and they can usually reverse the deposit and resend it to the correct account within one or two business days.

Payment Election and Tax Withholding

Payment election controls where your paycheck goes, not how much you receive. Your tax withholding — the amount Workday deducts for federal, state, and local taxes — is set separately, usually through a W-4 form or a Workday tax section. Changing your payment method doesn't change your taxes.

If you need to adjust your tax withholding, that's a different process. Look for Tax Elections or W-4 in your Workday profile, or ask your payroll department. Changing your withholding takes effect on the next pay cycle, just like changing your payment method.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have my paycheck split between two bank accounts?

Yes, if your employer allows it. In Workday, you can set up multiple accounts and assign a percentage or fixed dollar amount to each. For example, you could send $2,000 to checking and the remainder to savings. Not all employers enable this feature, so check with your payroll department if the option doesn't appear in your payment election screen.

What if I don't have a bank account yet?

Ask your employer whether they offer a payroll card, which functions like a debit card and doesn't require a traditional bank account. If not, you'll need to open a checking account before you can set up direct deposit. Some employers will issue checks temporarily while you open an account, but this isn't may provide.

How long does it take for direct deposit to start working?

After you enter your bank details in Workday, your employer usually verifies the account with a small test deposit (often 25 cents) within a few days. Once verified, direct deposit begins on the next scheduled pay date. The entire process typically takes one to two pay cycles from the time you complete payment election.

Can my employer see my bank account balance?

No. When you provide your routing and account number for direct deposit, you're only giving Workday permission to deposit money into that account. Your employer cannot see your balance, transaction history, or any other account details. They only see the account number and routing number you entered.

What happens to my payment election if I get a new job?

Your payment election is specific to each employer's Workday system. When you start a new job, you'll need to set up payment election again in that employer's Workday account. Your old employer's payment information doesn't transfer. You can use the same bank account at your new job if you want, but you'll enter the details separately.