Hello there, laura64.
Let me provide you information on how direct deposit works in QuickBooks.
For QBO, we require to run payroll before 5 P.M PST. It takes at least 2 banking days to process direct deposit. Since you process payroll on Thursday 5 P.M CST which is 3 P.M PST, this means your employee will get paid on Monday. You may want to issue a paper check to make sure they get their pay on time.
Here's an article to give you more information about this: When do I need to submit payroll to pay employees on time?.
Please let me know if you have any other concerns. I'm always here to answer them.