PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Rhode Island’s rollout of its new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system has run into problems, causing payroll disruptions that left many state employees with incorrect paychecks.
State employees have reported everything from paychecks not being deposited in their bank accounts to being paid too little or even more than they are owed. There have also been reports of incorrect payments being issued to vendors.
The setback highlights the risks associated with deploying a complex cloud-based system across government agencies without sufficient testing or contingency planning.
The transition to the ERP system faced multiple problems, with the launch date pushed back several times. The most recent change moved the rollout from November 2 to November 16 as officials worked to ensure a smooth implementation. Since November 17 employees reported various problems with the system.
The ERP system is designed to modernize core functions such as human resources, payroll, and finance. The initiative shifts the state’s operations to Workday, a cloud-based enterprise platform with the intention of replacing outdated processes that relied heavily on paper documents, manual entry, and disconnected systems across departments.
With the new ERP system, all state employees now use a single, centralized portal that streamlines communication, requests, and critical updates. The platform offers various self-service tools, such as the ability to update personal information, manage payment elections, request time off, and track absences.
Beyond convenience, the Workday system was expected to bring greater consistency and accountability to HR and payroll operations. Consolidating these functions into one platform should allow departments to better coordinate, standardize procedures, and maintain data accuracy.
The ERP initiative originated during the administration of Governor Gina Raimondo, who unveiled the plan in December 2019. Since then, project expenses have risen significantly, increasing from an estimated $69 million in 2021 to about $91 million this year.
This latest pay period, if wasn’t paid for 2 OT shifts. Other coworkers having issues also. I keep calling the number given, no one calls back or answers. What are we supposed to do? So frustrating.
I did not receive my child support from the garnished wages of my ex-husband, an ACI officer. Garnished wages were for convenience only. They took the pay and did not deliver it where it was meant to go. So, he paid child support, but I didn’t receive it.
Omg, sorry to hear these stories! I am state worker with payroll issues not hitting my accounts (retirement etc..) my issues are small compared to yours, I find them all unacceptable given issues still ongoing and not rectified as of Jan 8th! Class action!!!
ContributorDecember 5, 20251 Mins read64 
This latest pay period, if wasn’t paid for 2 OT shifts. Other coworkers having issues also. I keep calling the number given, no one calls back or answers. What are we supposed to do?
So frustrating.
I did not receive my child support from the garnished wages of my ex-husband, an ACI officer. Garnished wages were for convenience only. They took the pay and did not deliver it where it was meant to go. So, he paid child support, but I didn’t receive it.
Omg, sorry to hear these stories! I am state worker with payroll issues not hitting my accounts (retirement etc..) my issues are small compared to yours, I find them all unacceptable given issues still ongoing and not rectified as of Jan 8th! Class action!!!