Payment election is how you tell Workday which bank account should receive your paycheck

When you set up direct deposit in Workday, payment election is the step where you choose which of your bank accounts gets paid. Most people have one account and set it once. But Workday lets you split your paycheck across multiple accounts, send it to different accounts on different pay dates, or change where money goes without waiting for HR to process a form.

The term "election" just means you are choosing. Workday uses it because the system was built for large employers where payroll runs on a schedule, and you need to make your choice before that schedule starts. Once you elect a payment destination, Workday remembers it and uses it for every paycheck until you change it.

Key Takeaways

  • Payment election is where you select which bank account receives your direct deposit paycheck in Workday.
  • You can split one paycheck across multiple accounts, send different amounts to different banks, or keep it straightforward with one account.
  • Changes you make in Workday usually take effect on the next pay cycle, not when ready.
  • You will need your bank's routing number and your account number to set up or change a payment election.
  • If you change your election after payroll has already processed for the current cycle, that change waits until the next pay period.

How payment election works in Workday

When you log into Workday, you go to the Pay section and look for Direct Deposit or Payment Elections. From there, you can add a new bank account, edit an existing one, or remove one you no longer use. Workday asks for your bank's routing number, your account number, and whether the account is checking or savings.

Once you enter that information, you tell Workday how much of your paycheck goes to that account. You can say "send $500 to this account and the rest to another one" or "send 50% here and 50% there." You can also set up a primary account that gets whatever is left after other accounts are paid. This is useful if you want to keep a small amount in one account and send most of your pay somewhere else.

Workday does not send the money when ready. It waits until your company's payroll cycle processes. If you make a change on a Tuesday and payroll processes on Wednesday, your change will not take effect until the next pay cycle. Your company's HR or payroll team can tell you when payroll processes and when changes go live.

Why you might use multiple payment elections

Splitting your paycheck across accounts serves different purposes depending on your situation. Some people send their main pay to a checking account they use for bills and groceries, then send a fixed amount to a savings account automatically. This removes the temptation to spend money you meant to save.

Others use multiple accounts at different banks. If you bank at a credit union but also have an account at a larger bank for online transfers, you can send part of your pay to each one. Some people keep an account open at a bank near their workplace for convenience, even though their main account is elsewhere.

You might also change your payment election temporarily. If you are saving for something specific — a car down payment, a move, a medical bill — you can send extra money to a dedicated account for a few months, then change it back when you reach your goal.

What information you need to set up a payment election

Before you open Workday, gather two pieces of information from your bank: the routing number and your account number. The routing number identifies your bank. The account number identifies your specific account at that bank. Both appear on the bottom left of a check, or you can call your bank or log into their website to find them.

You will also need to know whether the account is checking or savings. Workday asks because the two types process slightly differently in the banking system, and your bank needs to know which one is receiving the deposit.

That is all Workday requires from you. You do not need to provide a voided check or a bank statement, though some employers ask for these as backup. Check with your company's payroll team to see if they have additional requirements beyond what Workday itself asks for.

When payment election changes take effect

The timing depends on when you make the change and when your company processes payroll. Most companies process payroll on a set schedule — weekly, biweekly, or monthly. If you change your payment election after payroll has already processed for the current cycle, the change waits until the next cycle.

For example, if your company processes payroll every other Friday and you change your payment election on a Friday afternoon, that change probably will not take effect until the paycheck two weeks later. If you change it on a Monday, it might take effect on the next Friday's paycheck. Your payroll team or Workday's help section can tell you the exact cutoff time for your company.

Until the change takes effect, your money still goes to your old account. This is why it matters to plan ahead if you are switching banks or closing an account. Give yourself at least one full pay cycle to make the change and confirm it went through.

Fixing a payment election mistake

If you entered the wrong routing number or account number, you can edit it in Workday before payroll processes. Go back to the payment election section, find the account you added, and click edit. Correct the information and save. As long as you do this before your company's payroll cutoff, the corrected information will be used for the next paycheck.

If payroll has already processed with the wrong information, contact your payroll team or HR department. They may be able to stop the deposit and reroute it, or they may need to issue a check instead while you correct the account information. The sooner you catch the mistake, the more options they have to fix it.

If money went to the wrong account, that account's bank can help you recover it, but the process is slower. It is easier to prevent the mistake by double-checking the routing and account numbers before you save them in Workday. Many banks let you verify account information on their website or by calling customer service.

Payment election versus other Workday pay settings

Workday has other pay-related settings that are separate from payment election. Tax elections control how much federal, state, and local tax comes out of your paycheck. Deductions cover things like health insurance, retirement contributions, or loan payments. Payment elections only control where the money goes after taxes and deductions are taken out.

You might also see a setting for pay frequency or pay group, which your company controls — you cannot change these yourself. These determine when you get paid and which payroll cycle you are on. Payment election is the one setting you control to decide which account receives the final amount.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have my paycheck go to more than two bank accounts?

Yes. Workday lets you add multiple accounts and split your paycheck among them however you want. You might send $500 to one account, $300 to another, and the rest to a third. The exact number of accounts varies by company, but most allow at least three or four.

What happens if I delete a payment election before my next paycheck?

If you delete an account that was set to receive part of your pay, Workday needs to know where that money should go instead. You should set up a replacement account or edit your remaining accounts to account for the full paycheck before payroll processes. If you do not, payroll may fail or delay. Contact your payroll team if you are unsure.

Do I need to tell my bank I am setting up direct deposit in Workday?

No. Your bank does not need advance notice. Once Workday sends the deposit using your routing and account number, your bank will accept it automatically. You will see the deposit in your account within one to two business days of payroll processing.

Can I change my payment election on the day I get paid?

Not for that paycheck. Changes made on payday or after payroll has processed explore to the next pay cycle. If you need to change where money goes for an urgent reason, contact your payroll team — they may be able to help, but it depends on how late in the day you ask and your company's policies.

What if my bank account number changes?

Update it in Workday as soon as you get the new number from your bank. Go to your payment election, edit the account, and enter the new account number. Make sure you do this before your next payroll cycle so the deposit goes to the correct account.