In Factorial, departments are not created as a standalone feature. Instead, you can reflect departments by using Teams or Workplaces, depending on what you want to organize and manage.
This article explains the differences between both options and helps you decide which one to use based on your needs.
Overview
Factorial does not include a specific “Departments” module. However, most department structures can be accurately represented using one of these two features:
- Teams → for organizational or functional groups
- Workplaces (Work areas) → for physical locations or shift-based organization
Choosing the right option ensures accurate reporting, permissions, and scheduling.
When and Why It Should Be Used:
Organize employees by department
Understand how departments affect reporting, permissions, or shifts
Decide whether your department structure is organizational or physical
How to Use
Identify what your “department” represents
Ask yourself the following question:
Is this department mainly a functional team or a physical location?
- If it represents what people do → use Teams
- If it represents where people work → use Workplaces
Use Teams for functional or organizational departments
Teams are best when departments represent roles, responsibilities, or organizational structure.
Examples:
- Marketing
- Sales
- Finance
- HR
- Product
Teams are commonly used for:
- Reporting and analytics
- Filtering employees
- Permission management
- Performance and people-related processes
Create a Team when your department is about function, role, or structure.
Learn more about how to create teams
Use Workplaces (Work areas) for physical or shift-based departments
Workplaces (and their Work areas) are designed for physical locations and shift organization.
Examples:
- Office locations
- Warehouses
- Stores
- Factories
- On-site vs remote locations
Workplaces are required when departments:
- Are in different physical locations
- Need to be reflected in Shifts
- Require different working schedules
Create a Workplace (and Work areas) when your department is about location or shifts.
Lear more about how to create weokplaces.
Combine Teams and Workplaces when needed
In many cases, companies use both:
- Team: Sales
- Workplace: Madrid Office
This allows you to reflect both:
- What employees do
- Where they work
FAQ
-
Can I create departments in Factorial?
No. Departments are not a standalone feature, but they can be represented using Teams or Workplaces.
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Should I always use Teams for departments?
Use Teams if the department is functional or organizational. Use Workplaces if it represents a physical location or affects shifts.
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Can I use both Teams and Workplaces?
Yes. Many companies use Teams for structure and Workplaces for location-based management.
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What if I’m not sure which one to use?
If the department affects shifts or physical presence, use Workplaces. Otherwise, use Teams. If in doubt, contact the support team.