State Employees File Class Action Over Workday Payroll Errors After Software Upgrade

Four state employees sue after Workday payroll upgrade caused late, missing paychecks and payroll errors. Lawsuit filed in Providence County Superior Court.

Four state employees have filed a class action lawsuit against the state, alleging a string of payroll blunders tied to an internal software upgrade late last year.

The complaint was filed at 11:12 a.m. Monday in Providence County Superior Court and claims the new Workday payroll system rolled out in December triggered late and missing paychecks, incorrect tax withholdings and other payroll errors. The plaintiffs say these problems have caused financial hardship and confusion for numerous state workers.

According to the lawsuit, the rollout flaws led to payroll miscalculations that affected base pay, overtime, benefit deductions and retirement contributions. The filing seeks class certification so other impacted state employees can join the case and pursue remedies collectively. Plaintiffs are asking the court for back pay, corrections to payroll records and potential damages related to the disruptions.

The lawsuit frames the incident as a widespread failure in the state’s payroll processing after the Workday upgrade. While transitions to enterprise payroll systems can be complex, the plaintiffs contend the state did not adequately prepare or test the upgrade, resulting in avoidable harm to employees who rely on accurate and timely paychecks.

State officials had not immediately responded to requests for comment as of the filing. The lawsuit marks a significant legal challenge following the widely reported payroll errors and could prompt closer scrutiny of the state’s implementation and oversight of the Workday payroll system.

Impacted employees and public-sector workers monitoring this case should note that class action status could streamline claims for many who experienced missed or incorrect pay. Those who believe they were affected may want to watch for court notices or contact legal counsel to learn about their rights and the process for joining the class.

This case underscores common risks tied to large-scale payroll software upgrades and the importance of thorough testing, contingency planning and transparent communication with employees. As the matter moves through Providence County Superior Court, both state payroll officials and affected employees will be watching closely for outcomes that could shape future system rollouts and worker protections.

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