Custom Fields sync allows you to map additional Workday employee data fields into Deel Global Payroll beyond the standard compensation and benefits fields. This includes fields like company country, cost center, department codes, and other custom attributes that you have configured in Workday.
The feature is available in the People Data Sync plug-in as a dedicated Custom Fields section. You can view and map all fields that have the required permissions enabled in Workday, then sync them alongside regular HRIS data.
Requirements
- Workday permissions must be properly configured - Not all Workday fields are accessible by default. The Workday administrator must ensure the Deel ISU has read access to the custom fields/calculated fields you want to sync. Some fields may require additional security domain assignments or permission configuration in Workday.
- Fields must exist in Workday - Only fields already configured in the Workday environment will appear in the mapping UI. If a field is missing, it either doesn't exist in Workday or the Deel ISU doesn't have permission to access it.
Step 1: Verify ISU security permissions in Workday
Before configuring field overrides, ensure your Integration System User (ISU) has View access to the specific fields you plan to override.
How to check ISU permissions: You can run the View Security for Calculated Field or View Security for Securable Item task (or any other custom security report in your organization) to determine exactly what security permissions your ISU needs.
Step 2: Configure field overrides in Workday
- Navigate to your DCOD integration system in Workday.
- Click the Related Actions menu (the three dots next to the integration name) and select Configure Integration Field Overrides.
- In the configuration screen, set up the field overrides according to your business needs:
- Identify the field type: custom object, calculated field, or native Workday field
- Go to the integration system and determine the appropriate configuration level (your SI will know which level applies)
- Create the field details: enter the exact name of the field and the value it should contain
- Assign security domain access to the ISSG (Integration Service Security Group) of your ISU so the system user can access the field.
- Save your configuration and note the exact name of the newly created field.
- Notify your Deel point of contact with the exact field name so they can update the Integration template on their end.
Step 3: Review available fields in Deel
- In the Deel Global Payroll interface, navigate to People Data Sync → Custom Fields.
- Click Edit on the Custom Fields section.
- The mapping UI will display all Workday fields that are accessible to the ISU.
- Exist in Workday, and
- the Deel integration service user (ISU) has read permissions to access them
Step 4: Map fields to Deel
- For each field you want to sync, select the corresponding Deel destination field or custom attribute.
- Available mappings depend on what Deel supports and what your Deel setup includes.
Step 5: Test and validate
- Run a test sync.
- Verify the following:
- Fields appear in Deel for a sample of employees
- Values match what's in Workday
- No "access denied" or permission errors in logs
What if a field isn't showing up?
If a field you want to sync doesn't appear in the mapping UI, it means:
- The field doesn't exist in Workday - Check that the field is actually configured in the Workday environment.
- Workday permissions are blocking access - The Deel Integration System User (ISU) doesn't have read permission for that field. This requires a Workday SI or administrator to grant permissions.
How to resolve permission issues
- Review the Workday security policies and confirm the Deel ISU is in the appropriate security groups.
- If the field is restricted by a custom security policy, a Workday consultant may be needed to adjust permissions.
- Once permissions are updated in Workday, contact Deel engineering to re-sync the available fields list.
Known limitations
- This feature is currently in Beta
- Workday permissions required - Fields that are locked down by Workday security policies may not be accessible without a Workday consultant's help. Deel Engineering can assist, but some scenarios may require direct Workday SI involvement.
- No bi-directional sync - Fields sync from Workday → Deel only. Changes made in Deel do not sync back to Workday.
- Field availability varies - Not all Workday fields are supported. Custom fields created with certain data types or security restrictions may not appear in the mapping UI.
- One-way mapping - A Workday field maps to one Deel destination. You cannot split a single Workday field across multiple Deel fields.