Overview
Built within Workday Recruiting and Workday HCM, connecting modules to automate referrals, track incentives, and improve visibility across the hiring pipeline.
Goal: an internal referral program that was transparent, compliant, and motivating — from submission through reward.
Role: senior systems analyst designing a cross-functional workflow connecting recruiting, HR, and payroll.
The problem
The existing referral process relied on emails and spreadsheets. Employees didn’t know where to submit referrals or track progress, and HR spent hours verifying eligibility and issuing payments manually. The lack of visibility reduced participation.
Approach
I started by analyzing system dependencies across teams.
- Partnered with Talent Acquisition to define referral stages and business rules.
- Interviewed employees about what motivated referrals — and what caused frustration.
- Mapped the entire referral journey, identifying where visibility broke down between submission, hiring, and payment.
Solution
Created an integrated referral flow with transparency built in.
- Designed a single-screen referral form with automated data validation.
- Connected backend workflows so approvals, notifications, and payments moved in sequence.
- Built dashboards showing referral status to employees and recruiters alike.
- Authored clear communication templates outlining expectations at each stage.
Business process, configuration logic, and payroll execution for automated referral payouts
Referral submission through verified payout — user actions linked to system automation
Impact
The new system made referrals simple and rewarding. Employees could track their submissions, HR gained real-time oversight, and payroll processed rewards efficiently. The program became a visible, trusted part of the employee experience.
Reflection
Operational clarity builds trust. This project reaffirmed how transparent design drives both compliance and engagement.