What is the purpose of supporting data in a leave type definition?

The primary purpose of configuring supporting data within a leave type definition in Workday is to provide contextual, real-time information to both the requesting worker and the reviewing manager. Supporting data leverages calculated fields to surface relevant metrics—such as length of service, specific hours worked, or rolling balance limits—directly on the absence request screen. This additional visibility is crucial for explaining why a specific validation warning might have been triggered during the request. Furthermore, it equips managers and HR reviewers with the necessary background information directly within the business process step, thereby assisting them in making accurate and compliant approval decisions without needing to navigate away to run separate reports.

Option A: Supporting data supplements the request process; it does not replace the functional logic of eligibility or validation rules.
Option B: Payroll earnings are calculated using payroll earning codes and run categories, not via absence supporting data.
Option D: A worker's supervisory organization is defined by their staffing and HCM organizational assignments, not by leave type supporting data.

1. Workday Administrator Guide, "Absence Management: Configuring Time Off and Leave Types," Section: Using Supporting Data.

2. Workday Administrator Guide, "Absence Management: Enhancing the Worker Experience with Supporting Data and Warnings."