WorkLion is Penn State’s employee-focused Human Resources portal and a central entry point for HR information, employee self-service resources, and Workday.
Penn State introduced WorkLion as part of its HR and payroll technology environment for faculty, staff, technical service employees, student employees, graduate assistants, and fellows across University colleges, campuses, and administrative units.
WorkLion should not be confused with student-focused services such as LionPATH or admissions-focused MyPennState.
This guide explains WorkLion, Penn State Workday, payroll, direct deposit, benefits, time off, employee information, HR support, account access, and security.
What Is WorkLion?
WorkLion is Penn State’s online employee HR portal.
Penn State describes WorkLion as a central employee portal that provides access to HR tools and information.
The ecosystem includes Workday, Penn State’s cloud-based HR and payroll system.
Employees can use applicable resources for tasks involving:
- Payroll
- Benefits
- Time off
- Time worked
- Personal information
- Pay elections
- HR information
- Employee support
The exact options available depend on the employee’s role and permissions.
WorkLion and Workday
WorkLion and Workday are closely connected but are not exactly the same thing.
WorkLion functions as a broader HR portal and resource environment.
Workday is the HR and payroll system used for employee transactions and records.
Penn State employees may move from WorkLion into Workday when completing specific HR tasks.
WorkLion Payroll
Payroll is one of the major functions connected with the Penn State HR environment.
Employees may use Workday for payroll-related tasks and information.
These can include:
- Pay information
- Payment elections
- Direct deposit
- Tax-related information
- Other payroll records
Employees should use the official Penn State environment for any payroll changes.
WorkLion Direct Deposit
Penn State has identified pay elections, including direct deposit account information, as one of the employee self-service functions available through Workday.
Direct deposit information is sensitive financial data.
Employees should only change bank information through authorized Penn State systems.
Never provide routing or account numbers to an independent WorkLion informational site.
WorkLion Benefits
Benefits administration is another important WorkLion and Workday use case.
Penn State employees can use applicable HR systems to enroll in or maintain benefits according to eligibility and current University procedures.
Benefits-related tasks can involve:
- Enrollment
- Benefit elections
- Employee coverage information
- Dependent information
- Other HR benefit resources
Employees should rely on current Penn State documentation for personal eligibility and plan details.
WorkLion Time Off
Penn State identifies scheduling time off as one of the activities employees can manage through Workday.
Depending on role and employment type, employees may be able to submit or review applicable leave and time-off information.
Managers can also have related approval responsibilities.
WorkLion Time Worked
Some employees use Workday to enter time worked.
This functionality is especially relevant to applicable hourly or time-reporting employees.
Employees should follow their department’s current timekeeping procedures and deadlines.
WorkLion Personal Information
Workday provides employee self-service functionality for maintaining applicable personal information.
Penn State has historically encouraged employees to verify key data after HR system updates.
Personal information should only be changed through authorized Penn State tools.
WorkLion Pay Elections
Pay elections can include direct-deposit information and related payroll configuration.
Because unauthorized pay-election changes can redirect an employee’s wages, this is a security-sensitive area.
Be cautious with unexpected email requests involving:
- New bank accounts
- Direct-deposit verification
- Payroll confirmation
- Urgent payment changes
Verify such requests using known Penn State resources.
WorkLion Employee Types
Penn State originally launched WorkLion and Workday for multiple categories of workers, including:
- Faculty
- Staff
- Technical service employees
- Student employees
- Graduate assistants
- Fellows
Access and functionality can differ based on role.
WorkLion for Student Employees
A Penn State student can potentially use different University systems for different purposes.
For example:
WorkLion/Workday — employment and HR functions
LionPATH — academic, registration, and financial student records
Canvas — courses and learning
MyPennState — admissions/application functions
Using the correct system is essential.
WorkLion vs LionPATH
WorkLion and LionPATH serve different purposes.
WorkLion is employee and HR focused.
LionPATH is Penn State’s student information system and provides access to academic, registration, and financial records.
A student employee may therefore need both systems.
WorkLion vs MyPennState
MyPennState is primarily associated with undergraduate admissions and application access.
Applicants can sign in to MyPennState to access their application.
WorkLion is for employment and HR resources.
These should not be treated as interchangeable portals.
WorkLion vs Penn State Sign In
Penn State Sign In is the authentication layer used to access many secure University applications.
WorkLion is an HR portal.
A user may encounter Penn State Sign In while trying to reach WorkLion or Workday.
Penn State Sign In
Penn State replaced its older WebAccess experience with a modern Penn State Sign In system.
Penn State states that secure applications including Workday, Canvas, and LionPATH use this sign-in process.
Account holders generally authenticate using their Penn State account credentials and applicable two-factor authentication.
WorkLion Username
Penn State’s sign-in guidance identifies a user ID followed by @psu.edu for secure University applications.
Employees should use only the account assigned to them.
Do not share a Penn State account.
WorkLion Password
Passwords protect access to sensitive HR and payroll data.
Use a strong, unique password.
Never provide your Penn State password to:
- Independent informational websites
- Unsolicited support contacts
- Email requests
- Other employees
Authorized Penn State support does not need your current password to provide normal assistance.
WorkLion Two-Factor Authentication
Penn State Sign In can require 2FA for applicable account holders.
Two-factor authentication adds another layer beyond the password.
Users should never approve an unexpected authentication prompt.
Unexpected prompts can indicate that someone else is attempting to use the account.
WorkLion Login Problems
Potential causes of login problems include:
- Incorrect Penn State account
- Wrong password
- Old saved credentials
- 2FA issue
- Account status
- Browser issue
- Temporary service interruption
First verify that you are using the correct Penn State service.
WorkLion Browser Problems
If WorkLion or Workday does not load correctly:
- Update the browser
- Restart it
- Try a private window
- Check network connectivity
- Clear relevant cached information where appropriate
Avoid disabling important security controls just to force a page to load.
WorkLion From Home
Because Penn State employee systems are web-based, authorized employees may be able to reach applicable resources remotely.
When using a personal device:
- Keep the operating system updated
- Use a supported browser
- Secure the device
- Use a trusted network
- Sign out when finished
Follow Penn State’s current information-security requirements.
WorkLion Manager Resources
Managers can have additional Workday responsibilities.
Penn State introduced the Manager Insights Hub to provide managers with centralized access to important tasks, reports, and resources.
In 2026 Penn State also introduced Workday Journeys and updated global navigation to improve employee and manager workflows.
Workday Journeys
Penn State launched Workday Journeys in 2026 as a way to bring tasks, reports, links, training, and other guidance together within Workday.
The goal is to reduce the need for employees to move between multiple systems when completing common workflows.
WorkLion HR Support
Penn State employees who need HR assistance can use authorized University support resources.
The University directs employees to HR Services and allows inquiries through WorkLion.
When requesting help, describe the problem without sending passwords, bank details, or authentication codes.
WorkLion Security
HR systems can contain sensitive information including:
- Salary information
- Direct-deposit details
- Benefits data
- Personal information
- Employment records
- Tax information
Employees should protect their account accordingly.
WorkLion Phishing
Payroll and HR systems are common phishing targets.
A fraudulent message may say:
- Direct deposit failed
- Payroll account must be verified
- WorkLion password expired
- Benefits will be terminated
- Account needs immediate confirmation
Do not enter credentials through an unexpected link.
Instead, navigate to known Penn State resources independently.
Fake WorkLion Login Pages
Search engines may display independent informational websites alongside official Penn State resources.
A domain containing WorkLion, PSU, Penn State, or Workday does not mean it belongs to Penn State.
Independent informational websites should never request:
- Penn State passwords
- 2FA codes
- Bank-account information
- Social Security numbers
- Payroll records
- Private employee documents
Actual Penn State account activity should occur only through authorized University systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is WorkLion?
WorkLion is Penn State’s employee HR portal and resource environment connected with tools including Workday.
Is WorkLion the same as Workday?
No. WorkLion is a broader HR portal, while Workday is Penn State’s HR and payroll system used for employee transactions and records.
Can employees manage direct deposit?
Penn State identifies pay elections, including direct-deposit account information, as a Workday employee self-service function.
Is WorkLion for students?
It is primarily an employee HR resource. Student employees can use it for applicable employment functions, while LionPATH handles student academic and financial records.
What is LionPATH?
LionPATH is Penn State’s student information system for academic, registration, and financial records.
What is MyPennState?
MyPennState is used by applicants to access Penn State’s online admissions application.
What login does WorkLion use?
Secure Penn State systems use Penn State Sign In and Penn State account credentials.
Is worklipsu.com the official Penn State WorkLion website?
No official affiliation should be implied. worklipsu.com should be presented as an independent informational resource and should never collect Penn State passwords, 2FA codes, direct-deposit details, Social Security numbers, or private employee information.
Final Thoughts
WorkLion is an important part of Penn State’s employee HR environment.
It provides access to HR information and connects employees with Workday for tasks involving payroll, benefits, time, personal information, and pay elections.
WorkLion should be distinguished from LionPATH for student records and MyPennState for admissions.
Employees should use official Penn State systems for any actual login, payroll, direct-deposit, benefits, or personal-information changes and should never submit credentials to an independent WorkLion guide.