No programming, just clicking your mouse and filling in forms. - Software Applications Engineer Workday Employee Review

2.0
Oct 3, 2020
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Workday does a good job of providing a lot of employee programs (fitness, snack, etc).

Cons

As a Software Application Engineer, you will use Workday's proprietary language called XO. It is horrible. It is soul-sucking and depressing. XO is not a programming language, it is forms that are filled out in a web browser to cause changes in the Workday application. You will not learn anything by using XO. There are no transferable skills to help you in your future if you work here as a Software Application Engineer. Workday knows this and are developing a layer on top of XO called YP. Don't be fooled, YP is not like any common programming language and will not help you in your future either. All I can say is DO NOT work here because you can do better and you deserve better.

Explore other reviews about Workday

5.0
Jun 19, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Work life balance is very good

Cons

Too much org level changes

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Workday Response
2w
Thank you for sharing your experience at Workday. We're delighted to know that you've been making the most of your time with us and have been benefiting from a good work-life balance. This feedback is incredibly valuable as it helps us provide an even better working experience and benefits for our Workmates.
3.0
Jun 29, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Excellent engineering talent and knowledgeable coworkers. Strong engineering culture with high code quality standards. Modern technology stack and opportunities to work on large-scale enterprise software. Good work-life balance compared to many tech companies. Competitive compensation, benefits, and employee perks. Collaborative environment with supportive teammates. Opportunities to learn new technologies and grow technically. Stable development processes and mature SDLC practices. Strong emphasis on testing, code reviews, and software quality. Flexible work arrangements (depending on team).

Cons

Large organization means decision-making can be slow. Significant amount of process and bureaucracy before changes reach production. Cross-team dependencies can slow delivery. Career growth can depend on organizational priorities and manager support. Frequent reorganizations can shift priorities and disrupt long-term projects. Innovation may move slower than at smaller startups. Internal tools and processes can sometimes feel overly complex. Communication between teams can occasionally be inconsistent. Like much of the tech industry, the company has experienced layoffs, creating uncertainty for some employees. Promotions can take time and require navigating multiple approval levels.

1
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Workday Response
1w
Thank you for your thoughtful review. We're aware that there's always room to grow, but at Workday, we take pride in our dedication to our Workmates and the 'employee first' ethos we've embedded since day one. We value your feedback as well as the praise you have provided in your review.
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