Where to find and update your payment method in Workday
To change your payment method in Workday, log into your account, go to the Profile menu in the top right corner, and select Payment Information. From there, click Edit next to the payment method you want to change. You can add a new card, bank account, or other payment option, then delete the old one once the new method is confirmed.
The exact location of this menu depends on whether you're using Workday as an employee (to update direct deposit or reimbursement details) or as a company administrator (to change how your organization pays Workday's subscription fees). Both paths start in your profile, but the payment types available differ.
If you're changing the method your employer uses to pay you—such as switching from direct deposit to a paycard—that change usually goes through your company's payroll section in Workday, not your personal profile. Ask your HR or payroll department which system they use, because some companies manage employee payment methods separately from the main Workday interface.
Key Takeaways
- Access payment settings through your Profile menu, then Payment Information, then Edit next to the method you want to change.
- You can add a new payment method before removing the old one, so there is no gap in coverage if a payment is due.
- If you are changing how your employer pays you (direct deposit or paycard), contact your payroll or HR department because that setting may live outside the main Workday portal.
- Workday typically confirms new bank account or card information within one to two business days before it becomes active.
- Keep at least one active payment method on file at all times to avoid missed payments or service interruptions.
Adding a new payment method before removing the old one
The safest approach is to add your new payment method first, wait for Workday to confirm it is active, and only then delete the old one. This prevents a payment from bouncing if the old method is removed too soon.
When you add a new card or bank account, Workday sends a confirmation email. For bank accounts, the system may send two small test deposits (usually under $1 each) to verify the account is real and in your name. Check your bank statement within two to three business days and enter those amounts into Workday to complete verification. Until you confirm those deposits, the account will show as pending and cannot be used for payments.
For credit or debit cards, Workday typically confirms the card within one business day. Once confirmed, you can set it as your primary payment method. After that, you can safely remove the old method by clicking the trash icon or delete button next to it.
What happens if a payment is due before your new method is confirmed
If a payment deadline falls before your new payment method is confirmed, Workday will attempt to charge your current active method. This is why keeping an old method active until the new one is ready matters—if your old card or account is deleted and the new one is not yet confirmed, the payment may fail.
If a payment does fail because no active method is available, Workday will send you a notification and may pause service or flag your account. Contact Workday support immediately with proof that you added a new payment method. They can sometimes manually process the payment once the new method is confirmed, or they can extend the deadline by a few days while verification completes.
Changing payment methods for direct deposit or paycards
If you are an employee changing how you receive your paycheck—switching from direct deposit to a paycard, or from one bank account to another—this is usually not done in Workday itself. Instead, log into your company's payroll portal or contact your HR department directly.
Some companies use Workday's employee self-service portal to manage direct deposit, but others use a separate payroll system entirely. Your company's payroll team can tell you which system controls your payment method. If you change it in the wrong place, the change may not take effect and your next paycheck could go to the old account.
Direct deposit changes typically take effect on the next pay cycle after you submit them, though some companies require the change to be submitted by a certain date in the pay period. Ask your payroll department when the deadline is for changes to take effect on the next check.
Updating payment methods for company subscriptions and invoices
If you are a company administrator updating how your organization pays Workday's subscription fees, the process is similar but the menu path may differ slightly. Log in as an administrator, go to Setup, then Billing or Payment Methods (the exact label varies by Workday version). Add your new card or bank account, confirm it, and then remove the old one.
For company payments, Workday usually charges on a set date each month or billing cycle. If you change your payment method close to that date, make sure the new method is confirmed at least two business days before the charge is scheduled. If the charge fails, Workday will send an invoice and may suspend access to certain features until payment clears.
Troubleshooting a payment method that will not confirm
If you added a new card or bank account and Workday says it is still pending after three business days, the issue is usually one of these: the name on the card or account does not match your Workday profile name exactly, the card or account has fraud protection that blocked Workday's verification attempt, or there is a typo in the account number or routing number.
Check that your name in Workday matches your card or bank account exactly—including middle initials, suffixes, and spelling. If your bank account is in a different name (for example, a joint account), you may need to use a card instead, or contact your bank to add yourself as an authorized user on the account.
If the name matches, contact your card issuer or bank and ask if they blocked any charges from Workday. Some banks flag small verification charges as suspicious. Once you confirm with your bank that Workday is legitimate, they can whitelist future charges. Then try adding the payment method again in Workday.
What to do if you need to change payment methods urgently
If a payment is due today or tomorrow and your current payment method is not working, contact Workday support immediately. Explain that your payment method failed and you have added a new one. Support can sometimes manually process a payment once the new method is confirmed, or they can delay the charge by a few business days while you complete verification.
Have your new payment method information ready when you call, and be prepared to provide proof that you added it (a screenshot of the confirmation email or the pending status in your profile). The faster you contact support, the more options they have to prevent a late payment or service interruption.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have more than one payment method active at the same time?
Yes. You can add multiple cards or bank accounts and keep them all active. Workday will charge your primary method by default, but you can change which one is primary at any time. This is useful if you want a backup method ready in case your primary card is lost or declined.
How long does it take for a bank account to be confirmed in Workday?
Bank account verification usually takes two to three business days. Workday sends two small test deposits to your account, and you enter the amounts into Workday to confirm you own the account. Until you complete this step, the account will show as pending and cannot be used for payments.
What if I delete my payment method by mistake?
If you deleted your only active payment method, add a new one immediately. Workday will not let you proceed without at least one confirmed method on file. If a payment is due and you have no active method, contact support right away—they may be able to delay the charge while you add a new method.
Do I need to update my payment method if I get a new card with the same bank?
Yes. Even if the new card is from the same bank, it has a different card number, expiration date, and security code. Add the new card to Workday and delete the old one. If you do not update it, your next payment may fail because the old card number is no longer valid.
Can my employer see my payment method details?
No. If you are an employee updating your direct deposit or paycard information through your company's payroll system, your employer sees only that you have a payment method on file—not the actual card or account number. Payment details are encrypted and stored securely.