---
title: Workflow Steps: E-Signature
slug: workflow-steps-e-signature
createdAt: 2026-09-11T08:15:24.192Z
---

An E-Signature step sends a document, such as an employment agreement, to a new hire or another stakeholder for signature as part of an employee workflow.

This article covers how to add and configure an E-Signature step, including document templates, signatories, and provider options. For guidance on setting the step's delay, filter, and dependencies, see [Configure your Workflow Steps](docId:58jSO5IfDvlsM2Ld-Bb7p).

:::hint{type="warning"}
Ashby's People Ops module is currently available through restricted early access. The following documentation is provided for design partners participating in that program.
:::

# Permissions and access

To add an E-Signature step, you need view and edit access to the workflow. Your permission set grants this access to either all workflows or specific workflows.

:::hint{type="info"}
Learn more about Ashby's People Ops permission sets: [Configure Permission Sets](docId:7apvU1qei2QWWO4SL6UOI).
:::

# Creating an E-Signature document template

E-Signature documents for People Ops are configured in **Admin > E-Signature Documents**. For a full walkthough, check out [Configure E-Signature Documents](docId:69lbuWZHlJze3uZwMzxrx).

# Adding an E-Signature step

Navigate to Ashby's **People Ops** module and complete the following steps:

1. Navigate to **Workflows**
2. Open the workflow, select `Edit Workflow Template`, then select `Add Step` in the appropriate section.
3. Select `E-signature` from the step type dropdown.
4. Configure the document template, signatories, and expiration as described below.
5. Set the step's delay, filter, and dependencies. See [Configure your Workflow Steps](docId:58jSO5IfDvlsM2Ld-Bb7p) for details.
6. Publish your changes. See [Publishing Workflow Updates](docId:2FhDHLP6NBxYng5UXlpSE) for details.

![A screenshot showing the workflows being added with the E-Signature step highlighted.](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/0p8tQ--ZZOxRtkVp6Qr-e/q1BZYzR1dfRtyaQ41PZgb_screenshot2026-08-12at54433pm.png)

# Configuring the E-Signature step

## Signatories and assignee

Set the **Company Signatory** who countersigns on your organization's behalf, and the **Assignee**, typically the new hire, who needs to sign the document. Some documents may need to route to more than one signatory in sequence; check your document template's configuration for details.

## Document template

Select the document template you want sent for signature, for example, a country-specific employment agreement. E-Signature steps support DocuSign and use the default E-Signature provider configured in your **Recruiting** admin settings. You can override the provider on the specific step template if a document needs to route through a different provider.

## Expiration and due date

Set an **Expiration Date** for the signature request and a **Due Date** for tracking. If a document expires without a signature, the step's status reflects that so your team can follow up.

## Message subject and body

Write the message the signatory receives, including any tokens needed to personalize it, such as the new hire's name or start date.

![Screenshot of the E-Signature step configuration panel, showing the signatory, document template, provider, expiration, recipients, assignees, the due date, the option to send manually and the message template.](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/0p8tQ--ZZOxRtkVp6Qr-e/nutIkwW5zyUyc5_HGYRyo_screenshot2026-08-19at100008pm.png)

# FAQs

### Can I use a different E-Signature provider for a single document, if my organization's default is different?

Yes. Override the provider on that specific E-Signature step configuration rather than changing your organization's default provider.

### Can a completed e-signature document from Recruiting carry over to People Workflows automatically?

Not currently. If you want the added flexibility of delays and dependencies around a signature, such as gating downstream steps on a signed agreement, configure the E-Signature step directly in **People Workflows** rather than relying on a document signed in Recruiting.

### Can I sent completed e-signature documents to other systems?

No, they need to be downloaded from the completed step. We recommend customers add the appropriate person as a cc recipient because they will receive an email when the document is signed and can access it that way.