In 2027, Johns Hopkins will launch Workday, administrative technology designed to simplify managing employment, processes, and data. Featuring intuitive self-service tools and connected workflows, Workday will empower employees, managers, and leaders across the university and health system. Maurio Phoenix, Executive Director of HR Technology at Johns Hopkins Health System (JHHS), and Heather Mason, Senior Director of HR Integration at Johns Hopkins University (JHU), share how Workday will create a smarter, more seamless experience for the JH community.
How will Workday change the HR experience?
Maurio (JHHS): Workday will simplify and unify our HR processes, covering everything from recruiting and payroll to talent reviews and certifications. Employees can access all their employment details including salary, team structure, and credentials through one easy-to-use profile. Organizational charts will be interactive and readily accessible. For JHHS, Workday will also replace the current system for selecting and managing benefits, creating a more streamlined experience from onboarding to retirement.
Heather (JHU): I agree with Maurio that this will simplify and unify processes. Right now, HR tasks often involve jumping between multiple systems. With Workday, everything will be consolidated into one platform, saving time and reducing confusion. A big change specific to JHU is that staff and student employees will submit their time directly in Workday. Having time management in one place will make the process smoother for everyone.
What self-service tools does Workday offer, and how will they simplify work?
Heather (JHU): Workday’s self-service tools are designed to make daily tasks intuitive and efficient. Faculty and staff will have a personalized home page where they can see tasks, approvals, and commonly used apps. The My Tasks inbox consolidates everything you need to do in one place, and features like filters and saved searches will make it easier to find what you need without hassle. No more hunting through links or sending extra emails for clarification — Workday is all about simplicity.
How will Workday help managers support their teams and track performance?
Maurio (JHHS): Workday will make it easier for managers to oversee and support their teams. All key employee information — like hiring details, performance data, and certifications — will be in one place. I appreciate that Workday unifies data for managers who oversee teams across JHHS and JHU. They’ll be able to view team members and insights from both organizations in one system — no need to log in and out or switch views. It’s a clearer, more connected picture of team progress.
What improvements can we expect in hiring and onboarding?
Maurio (JHHS): Workday will unify the entire hiring process for JHHS within one system, eliminating manual steps and ensuring smoother collaboration between recruiters and hiring managers. Before day one, new hires will get an onboarding dashboard including everything they need — resources, forms, policies, and key contacts. This creates a structured, welcoming experience for employees right from the start.
Heather (JHU): JHU new hires will experience many of the onboarding benefits Maurio described. While JHU will continue to use myRecruitment/myCareer (Eightfold) and Interfolio for job postings and faculty recruitment, those systems will integrate with Workday to create a seamless onboarding experience in a new hire’s first weeks.
How does Workday enhance HR reporting and data-driven decision-making?
Maurio (JHHS): Workday’s reporting tools are a huge step forward. The system integrates data from HR, finance, sponsored projects, and supply chain, providing real-time insights in one place. Leaders can run detailed, consistent reports to track performance, headcount trends, or other metrics — no manual manipulation required. It’s faster, accurate, and tailored for better decisions.
What new Workday features should the Johns Hopkins community be excited about?
Heather (JHU): There are many thoughtful features in Workday that will make work easier. For instance, standardized location reporting will show exactly where colleagues are physically located, helping foster collaboration. Paystubs (called payslips in Workday) will be simpler to access and download when needed. Even small conveniences, like a team birthday report, will make a positive impact by adding ease and connection to our daily interactions.
Maurio (JHHS): I’m excited about the name pronunciation feature — employees will be able to record how their name is said, which makes connecting with coworkers more enjoyable. Workday’s mobile-friendly platform is another highlight. Being able to handle approvals, tasks, and updates from your phone means small wins can be accomplished with ease. It’s modern technology, built for how we work today.