Why Workday’s Change Job UI Overhaul Is a Win for Everyone — A Consultant’s Perspective

Shape A Familiar Process, Reimagined for Better Usability

At Syssero, we support organizations across industries with Workday consulting services. One thing we know for sure? Change Job is one of the most frequently used, and frequently misunderstood, business processes in the system.

Historically, the user interface for Change Job has been anything but intuitive. Managers were asked to click through an unnecessary start page, then scroll through a seemingly endless series of fields, many of which weren’t even relevant to the task at hand. It wasn’t uncommon for users to abandon the transaction entirely.

That inefficiency didn’t just frustrate managers. It created downstream impacts for HR and post-production support teams who had to chase down incomplete transactions or troubleshoot mistakes.

The new Change Job UI, scheduled to be required in Workday 2026R1, is a much-needed upgrade that finally addresses those pain points. And spoiler alert: it’s a big improvement.

What’s Changing in the New UI

The enhanced experience brings meaningful improvements to how the Change Job process is initiated, completed, and reviewed. It doesn’t change the core technology, but it absolutely transforms the way users interact with it.

Here’s what’s new:

No more start page. The process launches directly into what matters.

Streamlined navigation. Sections are grouped more logically, with way less scrolling.

Side panel view. Current employee details are displayed contextually to guide decision-making.

Standalone Compensation page. This critical step is now much easier to find and complete.

Only relevant fields display. Thanks to templates, each type of transaction shows only what’s needed.

If you’ve ever found yourself wondering, “Wait, am I supposed to hit ‘Add Salary’ or ‘Edit Compensation’?” this redesign is for you.

Why This Matters

When managers and HR teams can confidently complete a Change Job transaction without second-guessing every step, everyone wins.

The previous interface often led to what we call “mental fatigue.” It asked a lot from infrequent users, especially those who only log into Workday to process the occasional promotion, transfer, or location update.

The updated UI dramatically reduces that friction. It’s faster, easier to follow, and adapts to the type of transaction in progress. That means users only see what they need, when they need it. Fewer questions, fewer errors, and a lot less “Wait, what do I click next?”

We’ve supported clients who have already opted in early, and the difference is clear. One manager told us it was the first time they’d finished a Change Job without a call to HR. We’ll take that as a win.

Templates Make It Happen

The enhanced Change Job experience is powered by Workday templates. These aren’t new, but they’re essential. If your templates aren’t set up properly, the new UI won’t work as intended.

Here’s what to do:

Maintain your templates

Use the “Maintain Change Job Template” task

Configure which sections and fields display by transaction type

Enable the enhanced UI

Check “Enable Enhanced UI for this Template”

Check “Apply this Template to Review and Approve Steps”

Add subprocesses if needed

Assign Collective Agreement

Change Organization Assignments

Propose Compensation

For job changes that include comp updates, don’t forget to configure Compensation Change Templates as well. These control which compensation-related sections show up based on the change reason. (Bonus points if you only show the “bonus” section when it’s actually needed.)

Also, make sure you’ve updated your domain security permissions and activated any pending policy changes.

Need help walking through all of this? Syssero clients can access our step-by-step Solution Packet for a full configuration guide HERE.

A Quick Note on What’s Staying the Same

The business process engine behind Change Job isn’t changing. What’s new is the way it’s presented to users.

That means you won’t need to rebuild your environment, but you will need to make sure your documentation is current. Training guides, screenshots, and process flows should reflect the new layout so your HR teams and managers don’t get lost in translation.

And yes, it’s time to let go of that dusty PDF from 2019. You know the one.

Why We Recommend Opting In Early

Although the new UI won’t be mandatory until 2026R1, we recommend enabling it well in advance. Early adoption gives you time to test, train, and tweak your templates without the pressure of a hard deadline.

It also means fewer surprises later. You can address gaps in configuration, answer user questions, and align internal teams while the stakes are low.

As a Workday services partner, we’ve helped clients roll this out in a way that’s both strategic and smooth. It’s one of those changes that pays off quickly.

How Syssero Can Support Your Team

As your trusted Workday services partner, Syssero is here to help you take full advantage of this transition. Whether you’re in implementation, stabilization, or long-term support mode, our team is ready to guide the way.

Here’s how we can support you:

Review and configure your Change Job and Compensation templates

Enable and test the new UI in your environment

Update your training guides and documentation

Deliver tailored enablement for HR teams and managers

Provide expert support as part of your broader Workday post-production support strategy

If you’re already working with us, your Syssero account manager can connect you with the right resources and get you the Solution Packet.

Not partnered with us yet? We’d love to learn more about your current setup and how we can help simplify the path forward.

Ready To Make The Switch?

Workday’s new Change Job UI is more than just a prettier face. It’s a smarter, cleaner, more user-friendly experience that helps teams get things done with less stress and fewer clicks.

If you’re ready to explore how the enhanced UI could work in your environment, or just want someone to sanity check your templates, we’ve got your back.

Contact us HERE to start the conversation.