Hi Jesper,
In the LPD_cust you can clearly see the ESS related launchpad. Here the Role: ESS and the instance : MENU is the ESS role which the end user will be able to see when he logs into portal.
If you are not sure of the roles defined in LPD_CUST assign the employees self service role (WDA) to any of the users and check the list of applications in portal and compare with the Role: ESS and the instance : MENU.
Role: ESS and the instance: RELATED_LINKS is for displaying any related links in the ESS role.
Please find the screenshot where i have highlighted the various roles.The ESS role from launchpad id is been assigned in the following manner,
Go to SE80->FPM_LAUNCHPAD_UIBB->HRESS_CC_MENU_AREA_GROUP and start configuration where you continue in display mode and check for the role.
For using the WDA role please check whether the business functions related to that are activated (HCM_ESS_WDA_1 , HCM_ESS_WDA_2)
Hope the above information was helpful for you.
Regards,
Mithun K