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Workday HCM MCP Server

Create a powerful Model Context Protocol (MCP) server for Workday Human Capital Management (HCM) in minutes with our AI Gateway. This guide walks you through setting up seamless HR integration with comprehensive workforce management and instant OAuth authentication.

About Workday HCM API​

Workday HCM is a cloud-based human capital management system that provides comprehensive workforce management, talent acquisition, learning, and development capabilities. The API enables deep integration with all aspects of the employee lifecycle and organizational management.

Key Capabilities​

  • Core HR: Employee data and organizational management
  • Talent Management: Performance, goals, and succession
  • Recruiting: Applicant tracking and onboarding
  • Learning: Training and development programs
  • Compensation: Salary and benefits management
  • Time Tracking: Absence and time management
  • Analytics: Workforce insights and reporting
  • Mobile: Employee and manager self-service

API Features​

  • REST API: Modern RESTful interface
  • SOAP Web Services: Enterprise integration
  • RaaS: Reports-as-a-Service
  • OAuth 2.0: Secure authentication
  • Workday Studio: Integration platform
  • Business Process Framework: Workflow automation
  • Real-time Events: Webhook notifications
  • Bulk Operations: Mass data handling

What You Can Do with Workday HCM MCP Server​

The MCP server transforms Workday HCM API into a natural language interface, enabling AI agents to:

Core HR Management​

  • Employee Records

    • "Create new employee profile"
    • "Update employee information"
    • "Transfer employee to new department"
    • "Process termination"

  • Organization Management

    • "Create new department"
    • "Update org structure"
    • "Manage reporting relationships"
    • "Track headcount"

  • Position Management

    • "Create job requisition"
    • "Update position details"
    • "Manage job profiles"
    • "Track vacancies"

Talent Management​

  • Performance Reviews

    • "Initiate performance cycle"
    • "Submit performance ratings"
    • "Track review completion"
    • "Generate calibration reports"

  • Goals & Development

    • "Set employee goals"
    • "Track goal progress"
    • "Create development plans"
    • "Assign mentors"

  • Succession Planning

    • "Identify successors"
    • "Track readiness"
    • "Create talent pools"
    • "Plan development paths"

Recruiting & Onboarding​

  • Job Postings

    • "Post job openings"
    • "Manage requisitions"
    • "Track applications"
    • "Schedule interviews"

  • Candidate Management

    • "Screen candidates"
    • "Track interview feedback"
    • "Make job offers"
    • "Process acceptances"

  • Onboarding

    • "Start onboarding process"
    • "Assign tasks"
    • "Track completion"
    • "Collect documents"

Compensation Management​

  • Base Pay

    • "Process salary changes"
    • "Run compensation cycles"
    • "Apply merit increases"
    • "Manage pay grades"

  • Bonus & Incentives

    • "Calculate bonuses"
    • "Process incentive payments"
    • "Track commissions"
    • "Manage stock grants"

  • Benefits Administration

    • "Enroll in benefits"
    • "Process life events"
    • "Track eligibility"
    • "Manage dependents"

Time & Absence​

  • Time Tracking

    • "Submit time entries"
    • "Approve timesheets"
    • "Track overtime"
    • "Monitor attendance"

  • Leave Management

    • "Request time off"
    • "Check balances"
    • "Approve requests"
    • "Track FMLA"

  • Scheduling

    • "Create schedules"
    • "Manage shifts"
    • "Handle coverage"
    • "Track hours"

Learning & Development​

  • Training Programs

    • "Assign training"
    • "Track completion"
    • "Manage certifications"
    • "Schedule sessions"

  • Course Management

    • "Create courses"
    • "Enroll learners"
    • "Track progress"
    • "Issue certificates"

  • Skills Tracking

    • "Assess skills"
    • "Identify gaps"
    • "Plan development"
    • "Track proficiency"

Analytics & Reporting​

  • Workforce Analytics

    • "Generate headcount reports"
    • "Analyze turnover"
    • "Track diversity"
    • "Monitor costs"

  • Custom Reports

    • "Build ad-hoc reports"
    • "Schedule delivery"
    • "Create dashboards"
    • "Export data"

  • Predictive Analytics

    • "Predict turnover"
    • "Forecast hiring needs"
    • "Analyze flight risk"
    • "Model scenarios"

Business Process Automation​

  • Workflow Management

    • "Configure approvals"
    • "Route tasks"
    • "Send notifications"
    • "Track status"

  • Integration Events

    • "Trigger webhooks"
    • "Send updates"
    • "Sync data"
    • "Process events"

  • Mass Changes

    • "Bulk updates"
    • "Process reorgs"
    • "Apply changes"
    • "Import data"

Prerequisites​

  • Access to Cequence AI Gateway
  • Workday tenant access
  • API client registration
  • Integration system user

Step 1: Configure Workday API Access​

1.1 Register API Client​

  1. Access Workday as Administrator
  2. Navigate to Register API Client
  3. Configure client:
    • Client Name: "AI Gateway HCM Integration"
    • Grant Type: authorization_code, refresh_token
    • Scope: Select required functional areas

1.2 Create Integration User​

  1. Create Integration System User (ISU)
  2. Assign security groups:
    • Integration System Security Group
    • Required functional area permissions
  3. Enable permissions for API access

1.3 Configure OAuth 2.0​

  1. Note OAuth endpoints:
    • Authorization: https://{tenant}.workday.com/ccx/oauth2/authorize
    • Token: https://{tenant}.workday.com/ccx/oauth2/token
  2. Set redirect URI from AI Gateway
  3. Configure scopes

1.4 Save Credentials​

Record:

  • Client ID
  • Client Secret
  • Tenant name
  • API version

Step 2-4: Standard Setup​

Follow standard steps to access AI Gateway, find Workday HCM API, and create MCP server.

Step 5: Configure API Endpoints​

  1. Base URL: https://{tenant}.workday.com/ccx/api/v1
  2. Select endpoints:
    • Worker endpoints
    • Organization endpoints
    • Staffing endpoints
    • Time tracking endpoints
  3. Click Next

Step 6: MCP Server Configuration​

  1. Name: "Workday HCM"
  2. Description: "Human capital management"
  3. Configure production mode
  4. Click Next

Step 7: Configure Authentication​

  1. Authentication Type: OAuth 2.0
  2. Enter OAuth URLs with tenant
  3. Enter Client ID and Secret
  4. Configure token refresh

Available Workday HCM API Scopes​

Core HR​

  • Worker Management

    • Worker data read/write
    • Personal information
    • Employment details
    • Compensation data

  • Organization

    • Org structure
    • Positions
    • Locations
    • Cost centers

Talent & Performance​

  • Performance Management

    • Reviews
    • Goals
    • Feedback
    • Calibration

  • Talent Acquisition

    • Recruiting
    • Candidates
    • Offers
    • Onboarding

Time & Payroll​

  • Time Tracking

    • Time entry
    • Approvals
    • Schedules
    • Absence

  • Compensation

    • Base pay
    • Allowances
    • Bonus
    • Benefits

For HR Managers:

Workers (Read/Write)
Organization (Read/Write)
Staffing (Full)
Time Off (Approve)
Reports (Read)

For Recruiters:

Staffing (Full)
Candidates (Full)
Jobs (Read/Write)
Onboarding (Write)
Reports (Read)

Step 8-10: Complete Setup​

Configure security, choose deployment, and deploy.

Using Your Workday HCM MCP Server​

Setup Instructions:

Natural Language Commands​

  • "Show me all employees in Engineering department"
  • "Start performance review cycle for Q1"
  • "What's the headcount trend for last 6 months?"
  • "Process salary increase for employee ID 12345"
  • "Create job requisition for Senior Developer"

Common Use Cases​

Core HR Operations​

  • Employee lifecycle management
  • Organizational changes
  • Position management
  • Compliance tracking

Talent Management​

  • Performance reviews
  • Goal management
  • Succession planning
  • Career development

Workforce Planning​

  • Headcount analysis
  • Skills gap assessment
  • Diversity tracking
  • Retention analysis

Compensation & Benefits​

  • Merit cycles
  • Bonus calculations
  • Benefits enrollment
  • Total rewards

Security Best Practices​

  1. Data Protection:

    • Encrypt sensitive data
    • Implement field security
    • Audit data access
    • GDPR compliance

  2. Access Control:

    • Role-based security
    • Business process permissions
    • Domain security
    • IP restrictions

  3. Integration Security:

    • OAuth 2.0 only
    • Token management
    • API rate limiting
    • Event validation

Troubleshooting​

Common Issues​

  1. Authentication Errors

    • Verify tenant name
    • Check OAuth configuration
    • Validate ISU permissions
    • Review security groups

  2. Data Sync Issues

    • Check field mappings
    • Verify business processes
    • Review validation rules
    • Monitor event queue

  3. Performance Issues

    • Use efficient reports
    • Implement pagination
    • Cache frequently used data
    • Monitor API limits

Getting Help​