---
title: "Developer guide to get employee data from Folks HR API"
url: "https://getknit.dev/blog/developer-guide-to-get-employee-data-from-folks-hr-api/"
date: "2025-10-26T05:04:14+00:00"
modified: "2026-04-11T05:10:32+00:00"
type: "post"
---
# Developer guide to get employee data from Folks HR API
[Blog](https://getknit.dev/blog) / [Tutorials](https://getknit.dev/blogs/tutorials/) / Developer guide to get employee data from Folks HR API [Tutorials](https://getknit.dev/blogs/tutorials/) · October 26, 2025 · Updated April 11, 2026
Developer guide to get employee data from Folks HR API
======================================================
Kunal Mishra
3 min read
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Table of Contents - [Introduction](#)
- [Get Employee Data from Folks HR API](#)
- [Overview](#)
- [Prerequisites](#)
- [API Endpoint](#)
- [Step-by-Step Guide](#)
- [Common Pitfalls](#)
- [Frequently Asked Questions](#)
- [Knit for Folks HR API Integration](#)
Introduction
------------
This article is part of our ongoing series exploring the HRIS API in depth. In this edition, we’ll walk through how to **retrieve employee data** using the Folks HR API, including prerequisites, endpoints, and example code.
You can find details on other HRIS API [here](/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-hris-api-integration/).
Get Employee Data from Folks HR API
-----------------------------------
### Overview
The Folks HR API provides endpoints to fetch data for individual employees or all employees within an organization. This guide outlines how to access this data step by step, from prerequisites and endpoint details to practical Python code snippets.
### Prerequisites
Before you begin, ensure you have:
- Access to the Folks HR API with the required `employees:read` scope.
- Valid API authentication credentials (API key or OAuth token).
- A Python environment with the `requests` library installed.
### API Endpoint
- **Get a specific employee:**` GET /api/v2/employees/{employee}
`
### Step-by-Step Guide
#### 1. Retrieve Data for a Specific Employee
To fetch data for a specific employee, use the endpoint:
`GET /api/v2/employees/{employee}
`
Replace `{employee}` with the employee’s ID.
##### Python Code Example
```
import requests
def get_employee(employee_id, api_key):
url = f"https://api.folkshr.com/api/v2/employees/{employee_id}"
headers = {"Authorization": f"Bearer {api_key}"}
response = requests.get(url, headers=headers)
if response.status_code == 200:
return response.json()
else:
return {
"error": response.status_code,
"message": response.text
}
# Example usage
employee_data = get_employee(186415, "your_api_key_here")
print(employee_data)
```
### Common Pitfalls
1. Using an incorrect API endpoint URL.
2. Missing or invalid authentication credentials.
3. Insufficient permissions (missing `employees:read` scope).
4. Invalid or non-existent employee ID.
5. Network or connectivity issues.
6. Not handling non-200 HTTP responses properly.
7. Ignoring API rate limits.
### Frequently Asked Questions
**1. What is the base URL for the Folks HR API?**
`https://api.folkshr.com`
**2. How do I authenticate API requests?**
Use an API key or OAuth token in the Authorization header.
**3. What format does the API return data in?**
Responses are provided in **JSON** format.
**4. What should I do if I receive a 404 error?**
Confirm that the employee ID exists and is correct.
**5. Can I include related models in the response?**
Yes. Use the `_embed[]` query parameter to include related models such as `country`, `province`, or `jobStatus`.
Knit for Folks HR API Integration
---------------------------------
If you’re looking for a faster, simpler, and more scalable way to connect with the [Folks HR API](https://developers.getknit.dev/reference/hris-apps), **Knit** makes it effortless.
With just one integration, Knit manages everything, from authentication and authorization to ongoing updates and maintenance, so your team can focus on building great products instead of managing integrations. t’s the easiest way to ensure your Folks HR API connection remains secure, reliable, and always up to date.
Building a Folks HR integration?
Knit gives you two ways to build it. Pick the one that fits.
- [Folks HR on Unified API](https://getknit.dev/integration/folks-hr/)
Your customers want Folks HR and the other HRIS tools they use. Build one integration and get normalised read and write data with real-time webhooks.
[Try free](https://dashboard.getknit.dev/signup)
- [Folks HR MCP server](https://getknit.dev/mcp-servers/folks-hr-mcp-server/)
Your AI agent needs to read and act in your customers' Folks HR. Use a pre-built, hosted MCP server instead of writing integration code.
[Try free](https://mcphub.getknit.dev/)
Knit's Unified API connects to 190+ apps across HRIS, ATS, CRM, accounting and more.
Knit never stores your end users' data and is SOC 2, GDPR and ISO 27001 compliant: [How Knit handles security](/security/) · [Security Center](https://compliance.getknit.dev/)
Not sure which fits? [Talk to a human](/book-demo/)
Written by Kunal Mishra
Changing integration landscape, one organization at a time
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