How to reset your Workday username

If you cannot log in to Workday because you have forgotten your username or it is not working, the fastest path is to use the "Forgot Username?" link on the Workday login page itself. That link sends a password reset email to the address your employer has on file for you. Open that email, click the reset link, and you will be taken to a page where you can see your username and create a new password at the same time.

If you do not receive an email within a few minutes, check your spam folder — Workday reset emails often land there. If the email never arrives, or if you no longer have access to the email address your employer registered, you will need to contact your company's HR department or IT help desk directly. They can verify your identity and reset your username or email address in the system.

The exact steps depend on whether your company uses Workday's standard login or a single sign-on system (where you log in through your company's own network instead). If your employer uses single sign-on, the "Forgot Username?" link may not work, and you will need to go through your company's IT support instead.

Key Takeaways

  • The "Forgot Username?" link on the Workday login page sends a reset email to your registered address and lets you see your username and reset your password in one step.
  • Check your spam folder if the reset email does not arrive in your inbox within a few minutes.
  • If you no longer have access to your registered email address, contact your HR department or IT help desk with proof of identity so they can update your account.
  • Companies that use single sign-on (login through your company network) cannot use the standard Workday reset link and must go through their own IT support.

What happens when you click "Forgot Username?"

When you click the "Forgot Username?" link on the Workday login page, you will see a field asking for your email address. Enter the email address your employer has registered for you in Workday — this is usually your work email, but some companies use personal email addresses instead. Workday then sends a message to that address with a link that is valid for 24 hours.

Click the link in the email. You will be taken to a page that shows your username and gives you the option to create a new password. Your username appears in plain text — you can copy it and save it somewhere safe. After you set a new password, you can log in using your username and that new password.

If you set a new password but still cannot log in, wait a few minutes for the change to sync across Workday's servers. If you still cannot log in after 15 minutes, contact your HR or IT department — there may be a separate issue with your account.

What to do if the reset email never arrives

First, check your spam, junk, or promotions folder. Workday emails often get filtered there automatically. Search for "Workday" or "password" to find the message quickly. If you find it, mark it as "not spam" so future Workday emails go to your inbox.

If the email is not in any folder, the most common reason is that the email address you entered does not match what your employer has on file. Try again with any other email addresses your company might have registered for you — a personal email, an older work email, or an email from a previous department. If you are not sure which address your employer used, ask your HR department.

If you have tried multiple email addresses and still receive nothing, or if you no longer have access to the email address your employer registered, you will need to contact your HR or IT help desk. They can verify who you are (usually by asking for your employee ID, date of birth, or other personal details) and either send you a reset link from their own system or update your email address so you can use the standard reset process.

Resetting your username through your HR or IT department

If you cannot use the "Forgot Username?" link, contact your company's HR department or IT help desk. Have your employee ID number ready — this is usually on your pay stub, employee badge, or in any company email. You may also be asked for your date of birth, the last four digits of your Social Security number, or answers to security questions you set up when you first created your Workday account.

Tell them you need to reset your username or that you cannot access the email address registered in Workday. They can reset your password directly in the system, update your email address, or send you a reset link from their own administrator panel. The process usually takes a few minutes if you call during business hours, though some companies handle requests through a ticketing system that may take longer.

If your company uses single sign-on, IT will likely ask you to reset your password through your company's main network login system instead of through Workday itself. Once you reset that password, you should be able to log into Workday automatically.

Single sign-on systems and why they work differently

Some companies do not use Workday's built-in login. Instead, they use single sign-on — a system where you log in once through your company's own network, and that login automatically opens Workday without asking for a separate password. Common single sign-on systems include Okta, Azure Active Directory, and Ping Identity.

If your company uses single sign-on, the "Forgot Username?" link on the Workday login page will not work. Instead, you need to reset your password through your company's main IT system. This is usually done through your company's employee portal, an IT help desk website, or by calling IT directly. Once you reset your company network password, you will automatically be able to log into Workday.

If you are not sure whether your company uses single sign-on, look at the Workday login page. If it says something like "Log in with your company network" or "Sign in with Okta" or shows your company's logo, you are using single sign-on. If it just has a username and password field with the Workday logo, you are using Workday's standard login.

What to do if you remember your username but forgot your password

If you know your username but cannot remember your password, click the "Forgot Password?" link instead of "Forgot Username?" on the login page. Enter your username, and Workday will send a password reset email to your registered address. The process is the same as the username reset — you click the link in the email, set a new password, and log in.

If you have both forgotten your username and your password, use the "Forgot Username?" link first. That process will let you see your username and set a new password at the same time, so you will not need to do it twice.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to reset my username?

The email usually arrives within a few minutes. Once you click the link and set a new password, you can log in right away. If you are going through your HR or IT department, it may take anywhere from a few minutes to a few business days depending on how they handle requests.

Can I change my username to something different?

No. Your Workday username is assigned by your employer and cannot be changed by you. If you want a different username, you would need to ask your HR or IT department, though most companies do not allow this because the username is tied to your employee record and payroll system.

What if I do not know my employee ID?

Check your pay stub, employee handbook, or any recent email from HR or payroll — your employee ID is usually listed there. If you cannot find it, call your HR department and they can look it up using your name and date of birth.

Will resetting my password log me out of Workday on my phone or other devices?

Yes. When you reset your password, any active Workday sessions on other devices will be logged out for security reasons. You will need to log in again on each device using your new password.

Can my employer see that I reset my username or password?

Your employer can see that a password reset occurred if they review system logs, but they cannot see the new password itself. Most companies do not monitor individual password resets unless there is a security concern.