Workday announced a new AI‑powered frontline hiring solution that combines the Paradox Conversational Applicant Tracking System (ATS) with the Workday Frontline Agent. The Paradox Conversational ATS is now generally available, while the Frontline Agent is slated for release in Spring 2026. Together, the tools replace traditional login‑and‑form hiring with a text‑based, conversational experience that can complete the entire hiring process in a few days.
The launch is aimed at the company’s 1,800‑plus retail and hospitality customers, a segment that experiences high turnover and complex scheduling needs. Early adopters such as 7‑Eleven and Ace Hardware report conversion rates above 70%, with Ace Hardware achieving an 86% conversion rate. Time‑to‑hire has been cut to as little as 3.5 days, and hiring task automation can reach 90% for some clients. Scheduling time is reduced by up to 67%, and staffing‑change time can be cut by up to 90%, addressing the 56% of organizations that report higher‑than‑normal frontline turnover.
Workday’s CEO, Carl Eschenbach, said the new suite “helps customers hire faster and collectively save millions of hours of manual work each year.” Group General Manager Aashna Kircher added that the conversational ATS “removes friction by streamlining up to 90% of hiring tasks and letting candidates apply in minutes via their phone.” Global Managing Director for Retail, Hospitality, and Transportation Keith Pickens highlighted the market need, noting that “our customers want simple, flexible tools that work in the real world,” and that the growth seen so far demonstrates Workday’s ability to support frontline teams and adapt to changing workforce demands.
The product launch aligns with Workday’s broader AI strategy, which seeks to monetize AI across its unified platform and position the company as a system of record for AI agents. By expanding its AI suite into high‑turnover sectors, Workday deepens customer lock‑in and taps a growing addressable market beyond core enterprise customers. The launch is expected to generate incremental subscription revenue in the coming quarters, building on the company’s recent Q3 FY2026 results that showed 12.6% year‑over‑year revenue growth and 14.6% growth in subscription revenue.
The introduction of the Paradox Conversational ATS and the Frontline Agent signals Workday’s commitment to solving frontline hiring pain points with AI, reinforcing its strategy to capture growth in mid‑market and high‑turnover segments while maintaining strong financial performance.
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