Meet Sequoia: 5 things to expect with Stanford’s HR and Payroll system upgrade
Stanford is preparing for one of its biggest employee-facing system upgrades in decades — the launch of our new HR and Payroll system, named Sequoia, arriving in early 2026. This upgrade is part of the broader Renew-Extend-Replace (RER) initiative to refresh Stanford’s core systems. This change is driven by the need to replace our current system, which has reached the end of its life.
As shared in a message last week from Elizabeth Zacharias, Vice President for University Human Resources, and Steve Gallagher, Chief Information Officer in University IT, this is one of the first in a series of system replacements taking place at Stanford over the next 10 years. However, this is more than a technology update – it is also an opportunity to redesign programs and processes that support how we work.
Today, tasks such as performance reviews, timecard approvals, and onboarding new staff are spread across several platforms (Axess, Taleo, PeopleSoft, etc.) because the existing systems lack the capabilities to support them in one place. The implementation of Sequoia, along with aligned updates to programs and processes, will help consolidate many of these functions into a single system – simplifying workflows and improving consistency.
Read below to learn more about what this change means for you and the support available.
What’s changing
A change of this scale is significant and may feel inconvenient at times. This transition will shift the way many of your workplace tasks are performed, introducing new ways of working or accessing new tools. For example, many of the tasks you currently complete in Axess, such as updating timecards, will now be performed directly in Sequoia, along with other key workplace actions, all in one integrated system.
Updates to HR programs and processes are necessary to align with Sequoia’s modern capabilities and enable Stanford’s long-term success as an employer.
While the changes will require effort and adjustment, they are essential to ensure Stanford’s systems and processes remain sustainable, reliable, and equipped to support faculty, staff, and managers. By modernizing both the technology and the supporting processes, Sequoia will provide clearer, more consistent approaches to essential activities like performance management, compensation, hiring, and onboarding. Over time, this will create a stronger, more stable foundation – allowing faculty, staff, and managers to spend less time navigating fragmented systems, and more time focused on the meaningful work they do every day at Stanford.
A message from Provost Jenny Martinez
“I’m grateful to the team working on this necessary technology transition. While learning a new system will require effort from all of us, the newer systems will have features that will benefit us in the long run. I encourage everyone to take advantage of the resources available to support this transition.”
How the HR and Payroll system supports your daily work
We use our HR and Payroll system to manage many of the essential tasks that keep Stanford’s workplace running. This includes submitting and approving timecards, tracking vacation, sick, and PTO balances, updating personal information, setting and managing annual performance goals, managing compensation, supporting the hiring and onboarding process, and more.
That’s where Sequoia comes in. This upgrade replaces a two-decade-old system, transforming the way we work and the data we can leverage. Sequoia will consolidate many workplace functions into a single system – eliminating outdated workarounds and providing a more consistent experience for all, no matter where you work at Stanford.
What Sequoia means for you
In 2022, a university-wide assessment gathered input from nearly 2,000 employees to better understand their workplace experiences, challenges, and opportunities for improvement. Several of the key themes that emerged are now being addressed in Sequoia’s design.
While every employee will benefit from a more streamlined and consistent system and processes, how you interact with Sequoia will depend on your role:
- Our colleagues who work in HR throughout Stanford will experience the greatest amount of change in their day-to-day work.
- People managers will gain greater visibility and direct access to key information related to their teams, allowing them to play a more active role in supporting, recognizing, and developing their team members.
- Staff will have a more cohesive and consistent platform, with simplified tools to support career growth and daily tasks like time entry, scheduling time off, and managing personal information like payroll and demographic details.
- Faculty will primarily use Sequoia only in their capacity as employees – such as updating personal information or accessing pay documents. Faculty, including those who supervise staff, will be able to choose to use the system directly or have HR make updates on their behalf.
No matter your role, there are five key changes you can expect:
1. A modern, user-friendly system
There is a strong desire for a modern system with better reporting, more automation, and easier navigation. Sequoia offers an intuitive, cloud-based experience with user-friendly navigation for tasks such as updating your timecard, managing personal information, setting performance goals, and more.
2. Direct access
Duplicative work and unnecessary handoffs were pointed out in the current state. Sequoia gives you more control, providing direct access to personal information updates, payroll and compensation history, timecard approvals, performance management tasks, and training activities in one place.
Dashboards for employees and managers provide a convenient way to complete tasks, placing most actions at your fingertips.
3. Access to a new HR Service Center for support
While Sequoia will make it easier for you to complete many tasks on your own, support will still be available when you need it. Stanford is bringing together the University HR Service Team and other support teams to form a single, more robust, and centralized service team — the HR Service Center. This streamlined model will improve efficiency behind the scenes so that you experience a clear path for completing routine tasks and resolving complex inquiries.
4. A more consistent experience across schools and units
Currently, we experience inconsistencies in recruiting, compensation planning, and performance management practices across the schools and units. Sequoia provides an opportunity to align in these areas – creating a more consistent experience for all employees, regardless of your role or location.
5. More transparency in performance management and compensation
Visibility into performance management and compensation processes is valued by employees. Sequoia gives you and your manager access to information related to goal-setting, evaluations, compensation history, and career progression so that performance and pay decisions are guided by clear criteria and communicated more openly.
What’s Next?
A transition of this size requires preparation and support. That’s why, over the next several months, you’ll receive regular updates, system demonstrations, and opportunities to help you learn more about what’s changing.
You can expect:
- Training tailored to faculty, managers, and staff
- Detailed communications explaining program, process, and system changes
- Resources and support to help you navigate Sequoia and new ways of working
Together, we’re building a stronger, more consistent, and modern workplace experience so you can focus on the meaningful work you do every day at Stanford.
