Lattice integrates with Google Workspace through third-party connectors to sync employee data, manage directory information, and streamline HR workflows across both platforms.
Overview
Lattice is a people operations platform that helps organizations manage performance, engagement, and development. Google Workspace is Google’s suite of productivity tools including Gmail, Drive, Docs, and more. While these platforms serve different functions, a third-party integration connects them to reduce manual data entry and keep employee information synchronized across your HR and productivity ecosystems.
This integration is particularly valuable for mid-to-large organizations that rely on Google Workspace for daily collaboration while using Lattice to manage performance reviews, goals, and employee development. Rather than maintaining separate employee records in each system, the integration creates a single source of truth for employee data.
How the Integration Works
The Lattice-Google Workspace integration operates through third-party integration platforms and APIs that establish a data bridge between the two systems. Here’s what happens under the hood:
- Employee Directory Sync: Employee information from Lattice (names, email addresses, departments, job titles, managers) syncs with your Google Workspace directory. This ensures that when you add a new employee to Lattice, their Google account and contact information stay aligned.
- Email & Identity Management: Google Workspace email addresses pull from Lattice employee records, eliminating duplicate data entry during onboarding. When an employee’s department or reporting structure changes in Lattice, those updates can reflect in Google Workspace groups and distribution lists.
- Single Sign-On (SSO) Capability: Organizations can use Google Workspace credentials to authenticate into Lattice, simplifying login management and reducing password fatigue for employees.
- Group & Team Management: Department and team structures defined in Lattice can automatically create corresponding Google Groups, making it easier to send company-wide announcements or department-specific communications through Gmail.
- Data Flow Direction: The integration typically flows in both directions—Lattice sends employee and organizational data to Google Workspace, while Google Workspace can send back directory updates and user status information to keep records current.
Key Features & Capabilities
Automated Employee Onboarding: When you add a new hire to Lattice, the integration can automatically provision a Google Workspace account with the correct email format, add them to relevant Google Groups based on department, and populate their contact card with job title and manager information.
Unified Directory Management: Maintain a single employee directory that feeds both systems. Changes to organizational structure, job titles, or reporting relationships in Lattice automatically update in Google Workspace, so your team directory is always current.
Seamless Offboarding: When an employee leaves, deactivating their Lattice profile can trigger automatic removal from Google Groups, suspension of their Google Workspace account, and archival of their email—reducing manual administrative work and security risks.
Department-Based Distribution Lists: Automatically create and maintain Google Groups for departments, projects, or teams defined in Lattice. This ensures the right people receive company communications without manual list management.
Improved Data Accuracy: By syncing employee data between systems, you reduce the risk of inconsistencies—such as outdated contact information or incorrect manager assignments—that can disrupt workflows and communication.
Streamlined Access Control: Use Google Workspace groups created from Lattice organizational data to control access to shared drives, documents, and collaborative projects, ensuring permissions align with actual team structures.
Setup Difficulty
Medium (15–30 minutes)
Setting up the Lattice-Google Workspace integration requires some configuration but does not demand coding expertise. You’ll need administrative access to both Lattice and Google Workspace. The typical setup process involves:
- Authenticating Lattice with your Google Workspace domain
- Mapping employee fields between the two systems (ensuring Lattice fields align with Google Workspace directory fields)
- Configuring which employee data syncs and in which direction
- Testing the integration with a pilot group of employees before rolling out organization-wide
- Setting up any custom rules for group creation or SSO configuration
If your organization has complex custom fields in Lattice or non-standard Google Workspace configurations, setup may take longer or require support from your IT team or a consultant.
Alternatives & Workarounds
If the native Lattice-Google Workspace integration doesn’t fully meet your needs, consider these options:
- Zapier or Make (formerly Integromat): These no-code automation platforms can connect Lattice to Google Workspace with more granular control over data mapping and conditional logic. You can create custom workflows—for example, “When a Lattice employee is marked as ‘high performer,’ add them to a specific Google Group.”
- Custom API Integration: If you need highly specialized workflows, your development team can build a custom integration using Lattice’s REST API and Google Workspace’s Admin SDK to sync specific data fields or trigger actions based on events in either system.
- Google Cloud Directory Sync (GCDS): For organizations with on-premises Active Directory, GCDS can sync your directory to Google Workspace. You can then use Lattice’s integration with your directory system to create an indirect connection between all three platforms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the integration support single sign-on (SSO) between Lattice and Google Workspace?
Yes. Organizations can configure Google Workspace as an identity provider for Lattice, allowing employees to log in using their Google credentials. This reduces password management overhead and improves the user experience, especially in organizations already invested in Google Workspace.
What happens if I update an employee’s information in Google Workspace instead of Lattice?
The integration typically prioritizes Lattice as the source of truth for employee data. Updates made directly in Google Workspace may not sync back to Lattice unless bidirectional sync is explicitly configured. Always verify your integration settings with your administrator to understand the data flow direction for your organization.
Can the integration automatically remove employees from Google Groups when they leave?
Yes. When you mark an employee as inactive or remove them from Lattice, the integration can automatically remove them from Google Groups and disable their Google Workspace account. This is a key security feature that reduces the risk of former employees retaining access to company resources.
Is there a cost for the Lattice-Google Workspace integration?
The integration itself is typically included with Lattice and Google Workspace subscriptions at no additional cost. However, if you use a third-party platform like Zapier or Make for more advanced workflows, those services charge based on the number of tasks or automations you run.
Disclaimer
Integration features and capabilities are subject to change as both Lattice and Google Workspace release updates. This article reflects the integration as of its publication date. Before implementing, verify current capabilities and supported features on the official Lattice and Google Workspace integration documentation and contact vendor support if you have questions about your specific use case.