Welcome to Workday Series: Episode 1 Workday Announcement Configuration Explained Easier

I first want to introduce this Workday Resources that I will be putting together. I am really new to Workday, and I sort of want a place to share my experiences. I am no expert

However, I think the lack of expertise keeps me curious, and there is always something to learn with Workday. This series is really to provide a space for me to share what I am learning. Definitely follow us here at HR Adventures for more content like this.

When you step into the role of a Workday HCM Super Admin, you will be faced with many challenges of figuring out business processes, security groups, setting up holiday calendars, setting up onboarding and offboarding, and so many more things.

And with all those things, sometimes the easiest thing to overlook is how you can create communications or announcements that go out to all employees seamlessly in Workday.

That is what this is going to cover: Workday Announcements. Specifically, how to configure announcements so you can keep your workforce community informed about important updates, policy changes, upcoming events, or even send them a task. Yet, configuring these announcements can feel overwhelming if you don’t have a clear path to follow. I want to share a straightforward approach to Workday announcement configuration that will help you get it right quickly and confidently.

Understanding Workday Announcements and Their Importance

Announcements in Workday serve as a direct communication channel within your HR system. They help you:

• Share critical HR updates instantly

• Notify employees about system maintenance or changes

• Promote training sessions or company events

• Reinforce compliance and policy reminders

  
  

Getting the configuration right means your messages reach the intended audience without cluttering inboxes or missing key groups. This balance improves employee engagement and reduces confusion. The number one thing to make sure of is that you do everything in the Sandbox before launching it in a production environment.

How to Start Configuring Workday Announcements

Step 1: Define Your Announcement Goals

Before diving into configuration, clarify what you want to achieve. Ask yourself:

• Who needs to see this announcement?

• When should it appear?

• How long should it stay visible?

• What needs to be in the message? (Text, Images, Video)

  
  

Clear goals help you choose the right settings and avoid unnecessary complexity.

Step 2: Access the Announcement Configuration Area

Log in to Workday. Navigate to the search bar, and type Create Announcement.

Step 3: Create/Define a New Announcement

Click on Create Announcement and fill in the following fields:

• Title: Make it concise and clear

• Message Body: Use simple language and highlight key points. You can use custom text if you want it to look a certain way.

• Audience: If you have a target audience, you can use security groups to specify which employees see the announcement

• Eligibility Rules: You can make rules that may dictate when or who sees the announcement. For example, 1=2 may be helpful if you do not want the announcement posted; however, you would like to complete the creation of it after testing it in sandbox in production. 1=2 will not post it. Or you could make an announcement that is only visible to managers.

• Display Period: Set start and end dates for visibility

  
  

Workday’s audience targeting is powerful. For example, you can send a compliance update only to managers or a training invite to a specific region.

Tips for Effective Announcement Configuration

Use Audience Segmentation Wisely

Avoid sending announcements to everyone unless necessary. Narrow your audience to keep messages relevant. For example, a benefits enrollment reminder should only go to eligible employees.

Schedule Announcements Thoughtfully

Plan your announcements to appear during work hours or just before important deadlines. This increases the chance employees will see and act on them.

Workday Testing Golden Rule

Always preview your announcement in Sandbox before launching in Production. You can also test it with an individual group to have them view it.

Managing and Updating Announcements

Once your announcement is live, you may need to update or remove it. Workday allows you to:

• Edit the message content

• Change the audience or display period

• Archive outdated announcements

  
  

Regularly review active announcements to keep your communication fresh and relevant.

Common Challenges and How to Solve Them

Overlapping Announcements

If multiple announcements target the same group, employees might feel overwhelmed. To avoid this, stagger your messages or combine related updates into one announcement.

Technical Issues

Sometimes announcements don’t display as expected due to configuration errors. If this happens, review your settings or consult with your Workday AMS Partner for troubleshooting.

Final Thoughts on Workday Announcement Configuration

Configuring announcements in Workday doesn’t have to be complicated. By focusing on clear goals, precise audience targeting, and thoughtful scheduling, you can make sure your HR communications are effective and well-received. Take advantage of Workday’s tools to preview and manage announcements, and keep refining your approach based on feedback and results.