Set up time off sync (PTO) for Global Payroll

The Time Off Sync plugin allows full-time employees hired on Deel to log their time off in Workday. Deel then syncs that data back periodically so it can be included in payroll processing.

In this article

• Before you begin
• Workday setup
  • Step 1: Add PTO scopes to the API client
  • Step 2: Activate pending security policy changes
• Deel setup
  • Step 3: Enable the time off sync plugin
• Setting up Leave of Absence (LOA) sync
  • Before you begin
  • Step 1: Document existing PTO mappings
  • Step 2: Enable LOA sync
  • Step 3: Trigger a sync and re-map
  • Step 4: Map LOA entries to Deel leave types
  • How LOA sync works
  • Troubleshooting
  • Known limitations

Before you begin

Before starting the PTO setup, make sure you have completed the required parts of the common connection setup. If you haven't done this yet, go to How to connect Workday GPC to Deel first.

Parts 1, 2, and 3 of the common setup must be complete before continuing:

• Part 1: Connecting Workday to Deel - creating an ISU, setting up security groups, an API client, tokens, and connecting to Deel
• Part 2: Setting up DCoD - integration system, external payroll vendor, and vendor mapping
• Part 3: Activating domains for optional plugins - - activate the required PTO domains and assign user groups. See the PTO column in the Security permissions reference.

At least one DCoD sync must have run to ensure time off types appear in the mapping step.

Workday setup

Step 1: Add PTO scopes to the API client

1. Launch the View API Clients report and go to the API Clients for Integrations tab.
2. Select the API client created during the common setup.
3. Use the related actions to go to API Client > Edit API Client for Integrations.

4. Add the Time Off and Leave scope.
5. Save your changes.

Step 2: Activate pending security policy changes

1. Launch the Activate Pending Security Policy Changes task.
2. Enter a comment describing the reason for the change and save.

Deel setup

Step 3: Enable the time off sync plugin

1. In the Plugins and settings tab, locate the Global Payroll - Time Off Sync plugin and click Enable.
2. Click Configure next to an entity.
3. Map the Deel and Workday PTO types, then click Confirm.
4. On the confirmation dialog, click Enable.
5. Repeat for any remaining entities.

This plugin does not sync the leave balance maintained in Workday. It only syncs the approved number of days and their types.

Setting up Leave of Absence (LOA) sync

If your organisation uses Workday's Leave of Absence module, you can sync LOA data directly into Deel's payroll report alongside existing compensation, allowances, and time tracking data.

Setting up LOA involves two distinct steps that must be completed in order:

1. LOA sync must be enabled - this is a backend change that makes Deel fetch LOA data from Workday's standard Leave of Absence path. Without this, LOA types will not appear in Deel at all. 
2. LOA mapping must be configured in the Deel UI - this assigns each LOA type to a corresponding Deel long-term leave type so the data can be processed correctly in payroll. Enabling the sync without completing the mapping means data flows in, but cannot be used.

The PTO plugin must be enabled

At least one DCoD sync must have run before setting up LOA. If you haven't done this yet, complete the steps above first.

Warning

Existing PTO mappings will be wiped Enabling LOA sync migrates your integration to a new data path. This will clear all previously configured PTO mappings. Before proceeding, screenshot or record all current PTO mappings across every entity. There is no export function, this must be done manually.

Before you begin

• The PTO plugin must be enabled and configured
• PTO types must be configured in Workday as external earnings and deductions before the first sync runs. Any types not configured ahead of the first sync will not appear in Deel's mappings until a subsequent sync picks them up.
• Contact your Deel representative to enable LOA sync for your account, as this requires a configuration change on the Deel side before the steps below will take effect

Step 1: Document existing PTO mappings

Before enabling LOA sync, record all current PTO mappings in Deel across every entity. 

This is a mandatory step

Existing mappings will be cleared when LOA sync is enabled.

Step 2: Enable LOA sync

Contact your Deel representative to enable the LOA sync feature for your account. Once enabled, Deel will use the DCoD API path to fetch Leave of Absence data from Workday's standard LOA path.

If you have previously mapped PTO types that disappear after enablement, this is expected behaviour. Use the documentation from Step 1 to remap them.

Step 3: Trigger a sync and re-map

1. From the integration's main page, click Sync Workday GPC to trigger a manual sync.
2. Go to the Plugins and settings tab and open the Global Payroll - Time Off Sync plugin.
3. Check the time-off mappings and remap any types that were cleared, using the documentation from Step 1.
4. LOA entries will now appear in the mapping UI with a visual indicator distinguishing them from standard PTO entries.

Step 4: Map LOA entries to Deel leave types

1. In the mapping UI, locate the LOA entries — these are visually distinguished from standard PTO entries with a label indicating they are sourced from the Leave of Absence table.
2. Map each LOA entry to the corresponding Deel long-term leave type.
3. Save your mapping.

Standard PTO entries (vacation, sick, other) and LOA entries are managed independently in the same mapping UI. Changes to LOA mapping do not affect your existing PTO mapping and vice versa.

How LOA sync works

Once mapping is configured, LOA data syncs automatically as part of the existing PTO sync schedule. LOA entries logged in Workday are fetched from the standard Leave of Absence path and synced to Deel for payroll processing.

LOA will only appear in the payroll output once the request has been approved in Workday. Pending requests are not synced.

Troubleshooting

LOA is not showing in the payroll output 

Check that the LOA request has been approved in Workday — LOA only syncs after approval, not when the request is submitted.

Past LOA records are not visible 

Historical LOA records may not appear automatically. Contact your Deel representative to request a backdated sync.

A PTO type is missing from the mappings after enabling 

PTO types must flow through a sync before they can be mapped — they cannot be pre-mapped against types that haven't been picked up yet. Trigger a sync and check again. If the type is still missing, confirm it is correctly configured in Workday as an external earning or deduction.

Previously mapped types disappeared after enabling 

This is expected when migrating to the DCoD data path. Use the documentation from Step 1 to remap the affected types. If the volume of remapping is large, contact your Deel representative for assistance.

Known limitations

• There is no way to pre-map PTO types before they have been picked up by a sync. If historical types are needed, contact your Deel representative.
• LOA sync is only available for clients on the DCoD integration path.