University of Wisconsin–Madison

Period Activity Pay (PAP)

Overview

Period Activity Pay (PAP) is a method of paying employees a lump sum for activities completed over a fixed-term time period.

  • Paid on existing job/position OR new job may need to be created via Add Job
  • Single or multiple payments
  • If duration spans more than one biweekly pay period, paid evenly on all biweekly pay periods. Payments can be customized if required.

Reasons to use PAP

  • Camp
  • Lecture (Not for Credit)
  • Committee Participation
  • Mentoring
  • Continuing Education (CE) Course
  • Service Related Payment
  • Coverage
  • Service Related Payment (Overload)**
  • Course/Curriculum Development
  • Residence Hall House Fellow
  • Event Speaker
  • Standby
  • Lecture
  • Stipend (Fellow/Trainee)

**If overload payment falls under multiple categories, always use "Service Related Payment (Overload)" as the reason

Along with the reasons above, the following non-service title codes will be paid via PAP in Workday. If the PAP is for a Stipend (Fellow/Trainee), use and retain the Non-service Job Aid form in the individual's personnel file to document the determination made.

  • Graduate Intern/Trainee – PD001
  • Postdoctoral Fellow – PD003
  • Postdoctoral Trainee – PD004
  • Advanced Opportunity Fellow – SA001
  • Fellow – SA002
  • Trainee – SA013

Processing in Workday

How a PAP is processed in Workday depends on whether the person is an existing employee and whether the lump sum will be paid on the person's current position or if a new one needs to be created. Below are instructions on how to process a PAP.

If the PAP is for an Overload, approvals can be uploaded as an attachment.

   

New Job & PAP

Overview

The instructions below outline how to add a new position in Workday for brand new employees and/or for employees who need the PAP paid on a new position. 

If the employee already has an existing position that the PAP will be paid on, you can skip the 'Create Position' step and move to 'Add PAP to Existing Job'.

Who Can Initiate?

A list of all security roles able to initiate include: 

  • HR Executive (Local)
  • HR Executive (Supervisory)
  • HR Partner (Local)
  • HR Partner (Supervisory)
  • HR Process Coordinator (Supervisory) UW
  • Recruiter (Local)
  • Recruiter (Supervisory)
  • Shared Services - Human Resources UW
  • Shared Services - Recruiting UW
  • Student Assistant Process Coordinator UW

Processing Change in Workday

The steps below outline how to process a PAP paid on a new position. This process begins with 'Create Position'.

Create Position
Step 1: Begin 'Create Position'

Workday screenshot of how to find 'Create Position'

From the Workday landing page, enter and select Create Position in the search box

Step 2: Enter Supervisory Organization

Screenshot in Workday of Supervisory Organization

  1. Select the Supervisory Organization
  2. Click OK
Step 3: Enter Details in 'Create Position'

    Workday screenshot of 'Create Position' details

    1. Enter the required information into Create Position
      1. Position Request Reason: PAPs are typically 'New Position', 'Summer Session' or 'Summer Service'
      2. Job Posting Title: Equivalent to Business Title
      3. Number of Positions: Typically 1, but can be more if you have multiple positions
        • If multiple positions:
          • Should have same Job Profile and Supervisory Organization. Some details can be modified for the individual workers when adding the job later in the process.
          • Each position will require individual approval after submitted. For example, three positions would generate three separate approvals
      4. Availability Date: Recommended to use today's date. You will not be able to add the job until on or after the Availability Date.
      5. Earliest Hire Date: Recommended to use today's date. You will not be able to make the job effective until on or after the Earliest Hire Date.
      6. Job Profile: Select the most appropriate option based on consultation of the Standard Job Description Library
      7. Location: Enter the four digit campus location where the individual will be doing their work
      8. Worker Type: Employee
      9. Worker Sub-Type: PAPs are typically 'Terminal (Fixed Term)'
      10. Scheduled Weekly Hours: Enter the number of expected hours the person will work each week, if known
      11. Difficulty to Fill: Will default based on Job Profile. Ensure correct reason is selected.
      12. Available for Overlap: Check this box if more than one person can be under this position number for a period of time.
    2. Enter Comment
    3. Add Attachment (optional)
    4. Click Submit

    Once the 'Create Position' business process is submitted, the 'Change Organization Assignments' task will be sent to the initiator.

    Step 4: Update 'Change Organization Assignments'

    Workday screenshot of 'Change Organization Assignments'

    1. Under the 'Other' section of 'Change Organization Assignments', update:
      1. Compensation Basis: Select the appropriate reason. PAPs are typically '12 Month', '9 Month', or 'Summer'
      2. Position of Trust: Select the appropriate reason based on the work the employee will be doing.
    2. Enter Comment
    3. Add Attachment (optional)
    4. Click Submit

    Once the 'Change Organization Assignments' business process is submitted, the 'Default Compensation' task will be sent to the initiator.

    Step 5: Enter Position's Default Compensation 

    Workday screenshot of 'Default Compensation Change'

    1. In 'Default Compensation Change', scroll to the 'Salary' section and update the 'Assignment Details' amount
      1. Note: This amount is not driving any payments. That will come at a later step.
    2. Ensure 'Frequency' is Period Activity Pay
    3. Enter Comment
    4. Click Approve

    The business process will now continue through the approval process to the Position Budget Manager and HR Partner (Supervisory) for approval. The request can also be sent back, and additional approvers can be added.

    Finally, once the position is approved, the Cost Center Accounting Specialist will receive a task to enter default position funding.

    Hire Worker

    After the position(s) is created, you can hire the worker into the position by completing one of the following business processes:

    • Direct Hire (new employee); or
    • Add Job (existing employee) - see instructions below
    Add Job (existing employee)
    Step 1: Find Employee From the Workday landing page, enter the employee's name in the search box and select the employee. 
    Step 2: Start Job Change

    Workday screenshot of finding 'Add Job'

    Once you are in the employee's Worker Profile:

    1. Select Actions
    2. Select Job Change
    3. Select Add Job. The Worker will populate based on the employee profile.
    4. Confirm Worker
    5. Select Supervisory Organization
      1. This should match the Supervisory Organization used when creating the position
    6. Click OK
    Step 3: Add Job

    Workday Screenshot of 'Add Job' details

    1. Enter the required information into Add Job
      1. Effective Date: Enter effective date
        1. Note: It is okay for the effective dates to match the payment dates, even if different from the actual dates the employee worked. If dates are different, then enter the actual dates worked in the comments and/or attachment of the PAP.
      2. Reason: Select appropriate reason
        1. Note: If an overload payment falls under multiple categories, always use 'Overload' as the reason
      3. Position: Select the position that was created.
        1. This will auto-populate the Employee Type, Job Profile, Location, Pay Rate Type, and Scheduled Weekly Hours. Adjust information, if needed.
        2. If you do not see the position available, check that the Supervisory Organizations match and that the position created is in 'Completed' status
      4. Time Type: Select 'Full time' or 'Part time'
      5. Scheduled Weekly Hours: Update if different from what was listed in Create Position
    2. Enter End Employment Date
    3. Enter Comment
    4. Add Attachment (optional)
    5. Click Submit
    Step 4: Begin Period Activity Pay
    1. Select Academic Period
      1. Note: If the PAP covers more than one academic/calendar/fiscal period, select the Academic Period which aligns with the begin date of the PAP
    2. Ensure Period Activity Rate Matrix is selected
    3. Click OK
    Step 5: Add Period Activity Pay

    Workday screenoshot of 'Add Period Activity Pay'

    1. Enter the Period Activity Pay details
      1. Reason: Select appropriate reason. Below are common reasons for PAPs and when to use them:
        1. New Hire - If person is in Workday but does not have an active job
        2. New Assignment - If person is in Workday and they have an active job
        3. Overload - For all Overload
          1. Note: If an overload payment falls under multiple categories, always use 'Overload' as the reason. 
      2. Activity: Select appropriate reason
      3. Activity Dates: Enter activity dates
        1. Note: It is okay for the activity dates to match the payment dates, even if different from the actual dates the employee worked. If dates are different, then enter the actual dates worked in the comments and/or attachment of the PAP.
      4. Reportable Hours: Add expected number of hours worked
        1. This field is required for employees who are not currently benefits eligible. These hours do not get paid but they are used for effort reporting.
      5. Units: This will update when the Total Amount is entered under the 'Compensation' section
        1. Quantity is typically 1. If you have more than one, it will multiply the quantity by the 'Assigned Unit Rate' and auto-populate in the 'Total Amount' box.
      6. Compensation: Should include the total amount of the PAP
        1. Costing Overrides (optional): Using the Costing Overrides button, update the funding allocation(s) if appropriate.
      7. Payments: Should be the effective start/end dates of when the payments should occur
    2. Customize Payments (optional)
    3. Enter Comment
    4. Add Attachment (optional)
    5. Click Submit

    Once submitted, it will route to the Cost Center Accounting Specialist (CCAS) to assign the costing allocation.

    Add PAP to Existing Job

    Overview

    The instructions below outline how to add a new PAP assignment to an existing job in Workday.

    Who Can Initiate?

    A list of all security roles able to initiate include: 

    • Compensation Partner (Local)
    • Compensation Partner (Supervisory)
    • HR Executive (Supervisory)
    • HR Partner (Local)
    • HR Partner (Supervisory)
    • HR Process Coordinator (Supervisory) UW
    • HR Process Coordinator (Unconstrained) UW
    • Shared Services - Compensation UW
    • Shared Services - HR Mass Actions UW
    • Shared Services - Human Resources UW
    • Student Assistant Process Coordinator (Unconstrained) UW
    • Student Assistant Process Coordinator UW
    • Student Hourly Process Coordinator (Unconstrained) UW
    • Student Hourly Process Coordinator UW

    Processing Change in Workday

    The steps below outline how to process a PAP paid on an existing job. This is processed with 'Manage Period Activity Pay Assignments'.

    For multiple PAPs, see Managing Multiple Period Activity Pay (PAP) Assignments.

    Manage Period Activity Pay Assignments
    Step 1: Find Employee From the Workday landing page, enter the employee's name in the search box and select the employee. 
    Step 2: Find 'Manage PAP Assignments'

    Workday screenshot how to find 'Manage Period Activity Pay Assignments'

    Once you are in the employee's Worker Profile:

    1. Select Actions
    2. Select Compensation
    3. Select Manage Period Activity Pay Assignments
    Step 3: Begin 'Manage PAP Assignments'

    Workday screenshot of beginning the PAP

    1. Enter the required information into Manage Period Activity Pay Assignments
      1. Effective Date: Enter effective date
        1. Note: It is okay for the effective date to match the payment dates, even if different from the actual dates the employee worked. If the dates are different, then enter the actual dates worked in the comments and/or attachment of the PAP.
      2. Employee: Ensure correct employee is selected
      3. Academic Period: Select Academic Period
        1. Note: If the PAP covers more than one academic/calendar/fiscal period, select the Academic Period which aligns with the begin date of the PAP.
    2. Ensure Period Activity Rate Matrix is selected
    3. Enter Quick Entry Choices (optional). This information will flow into the PAP.
    4. Click OK
    Step 4: Add Period Activity Pay

    Workday screenshot of 'Add Period Activity Pay'

    1. Enter the Period Activity Pay details
      1. Reason: Select appropriate reason. Below are common reasons for PAPs and when to use them:
        1. New Hire - If person is in Workday but does not have an active job
        2. New Assignment - If person is in Workday and they have an active job
        3. Overload - For all Overload
          1. Note: If an overload payment falls under multiple categories, always use 'Overload' as the reason. 
      2. Activity: Select appropriate reason
      3. Activity Dates: Enter activity dates
        1. Note: It is okay for the activity dates to match the payment dates, even if different from the actual dates the employee worked. If dates are different, then enter the actual dates worked in the comments and/or attachment of the PAP.
      4. Reportable Hours: Add expected number of hours worked
        1. This field is required for employees who are not currently benefits eligible. These hours do not get paid but they are used for effort reporting.
      5. Units: This will update when the Total Amount is entered under the 'Compensation' section
        1. Quantity is typically 1. If you have more than one, it will multiply the quantity by the 'Assigned Unit Rate' and auto-populate in the 'Total Amount' box.
      6. Compensation: Should include the total amount of the PAP
        1. Costing Overrides (optional): Using the Costing Overrides button, update the funding allocation(s) if appropriate.
      7. Payments: Should be the effective start/end dates of when the payments should occur
    2. Customize Payments (optional)
    3. Enter Comment
    4. Add Attachment (optional)
    5. Click Submit

    Once submitted, the Compensation Partner (Supervisory) will receive a task to approve. Finally, it will go back to the Compensation Partner (Supervisory) to generate the document for the PAP to inform the employee.

    Edit or End PAP

    Overview

    Occasionally a PAP assignment needs to be adjusted. The instructions below outline how to adjust or end a PAP assignment in Workday.

    Who Can Initiate?

    A list of all security roles able to initiate include: 

    • Compensation Partner (Local)
    • Compensation Partner (Supervisory)
    • HR Executive (Supervisory)
    • HR Partner (Local)
    • HR Partner (Supervisory)
    • HR Process Coordinator (Supervisory) UW
    • HR Process Coordinator (Unconstrained) UW
    • Shared Services - Compensation UW
    • Shared Services - HR Mass Actions UW
    • Shared Services - Human Resources UW
    • Student Assistant Process Coordinator (Unconstrained) UW
    • Student Assistant Process Coordinator UW
    • Student Hourly Process Coordinator (Unconstrained) UW
    • Student Hourly Process Coordinator UW

    Processing Change in Workday

    The steps below outline how to view and edit a PAP in Workday.

    Viewing Information on Current PAP Assignment
    Step 1: Find Employee From the Workday landing page, enter the employee's name in the search box and select the employee. 
    Step 2: Find PAP Assignment

    Workday screenshot of how to view a 'PAP' in Worker Profile

    Once you are in the employee's Worker Profile:

    1. Select Actions
    2. Select Compensation
    3. Select the Historical Activity Pay tab
    4. Click on View Assignment Details button 
    5. Record the necessary information of the Period Activity Pay Assignments that will be edited or ended:
      1. Effective Date
      2. Academic Period Dates
    Adjusting or Ending PAP
    Step 1: Find Employee From the Workday landing page, enter the employee's name in the search box and select the employee. 
    Step 2: Find 'Manage PAP Assignments'

    Workday screenshot of how to find 'Manage PAP Assignments'

    Once you are in the employee's Worker Profile:

    1. Select Actions
    2. Select Compensation
    3. Select Manage Period Activity Pay Assignments
    Step 3: Begin 'Manage PAP Assignments'
    1. Enter the required information into Manage Period Activity Pay Assignments
      1. Effective Date: Enter effective date from the current PAP
      2. Employee: Ensure correct employee is selected
      3. Academic Period: Select Academic Period for the current PAP
    2. Ensure Period Activity Rate Matrix is selected
    3. Click OK
    Step 4: Enter Updated PAP Details
    1. Select appropriate 'Reason'
      1.  Select either Adjust Activity Pay or End Activity Pay with ending Job
    2. Adjust the appropriate PAP detail fields as needed
      1. Note: If you are adjusting the end date, you may need to also adjust the Compensation 'Total Amount'
    3. Customize Payments (optional)
    4. Enter Comment to summarize why the payment is being adjusted and/or other relevant information
    5. Add Attachment (optional)
    6. Click Submit

    Once submitted, the Compensation Partner (Supervisory) will receive a task to approve. Finally, it will go back to the initiator to generate the document to inform the employee of the adjusted payment terms.

    Additional Resources

    Questions?

    Contact compensation@ohr.wisc.edu.

    Updated: Jul. 03, 2025
    Source URL: https://hr.wisc.edu/hr-guides/for-hr-professionals/period-activity-pay-pap/

    Did you find what you need?