Published: November 3, 2023

Last Updated: February 14, 2024

We are continuing to organize the state to implement real remedies for the issues the Workday payroll transition has caused. State decision makers need to hear from you about how this change has impacted your life and your ability to do your job. Now, we’re asking you to share your story on this form, so the state can fully understand how Workday has affected state workers.

If you have issues with Workday and need assistance, please take these steps: 

  1. Reach out to your agency’s payroll office and get in the queue for support. Be sure to highlight any errors to them, as they are the people who can help make necessary corrections and answer your questions best.
  2. Talk to a steward or SEIU’s Contract Enforcement Team (CET). Many workday issues are known, and a Steward or member of the CET can help determine the best next steps, including filing a grievance. You can contact the CET at 1-844-503-SEIU (7348) or contact@seiu503.org. 
  3. Fill out this survey. Workers who have issues with their payroll should take the steps in this survey. If you haven’t reached the CET, note that on the survey and someone will be in touch with you.
  4. If you were monetarily harmed by late or delayed payment due to a payroll error, you can request to be reimbursed by your agency by submitting a Penalty fee reimbursement request form. (Read the instructions here)
  5. If your credit has been impacted, use this template to write a No-Fault Letter to send to your creditor.

Tax Resources:

We expect that the state made a number of errors when withholding taxes throughout this year and that could have an impact on your tax return when you file. Because of this, we are encouraging workers to file their taxes early so that there is as much time as possible to address issues and prepare. We also want to highlight a number of resources that are available for workers and Union members:
  1. Access reduced cost legal insurance through ARAG: ARAG has a nationwide network of attorneys that can support members on a number of topics including taxes. Members can add ARAG legal insurance for a reduced price. This is only available to members of the Union that have enrolled in ARAG during open enrollment.
  2. Canopy, Employee Assistance Program: The collective Bargaining Agreement requires the State provides an employee assistance program (EAP). Canopy, the State’s EAP, offers tools including interactive tax calculators and financial planning, which State employees have access to for free.
  3. Tax calculators have been made available to estimate the correct amount of taxes that should be withheld so that you can confirm that your W-2 is accurate.(Oregon State taxes calculator and IRS calculator)
  4. Tax Filing Support: Free and low-cost tax preparation help is available to qualifying workers. The department of revenue has a webpage with resources.

Additional Tax Resources:

Workday Grievances Update: 
Our Union filed 6 statewide grievances around the issues created by the Workday transition. In March of last year, the State acknowledged they violated the CBA and since then have implemented a number of changes to the Workday system, though have not fixed all the issues. They also have implemented these steps to better support workers:
  • Agreed to reimburse workers for any late or overdraft fees accrued because of Workday payroll issues.  
  • Agreed to reimburse workers up to $100 that seek services from a tax professional through 2023
  • Agreed to audit the Workday payroll system
  • Agreed not to discipline workers on payroll time entry mistakes during the transition (through September of 2023).  
  • Agreed to make “no fault” letters available for workers to share if their credit was impacted by the Workday transition.  
  • Agreed to implement additional training for staff and management, though we are worried this is still not sufficient.”
We agreed those were great next steps, but that they needed to do more. Currently we are working with DAS and DOJ to get our Arbitration hearing set up (currently DOJ is trying to schedule individual hearings for each grievance rather than one hearing). We also continue to push the state to settle these grievances and believe that is the best next step to address the issue. Here is what we have proposed to the state in settlement discussions.
 
The best way you can support this this work to make this settlement happen is by sharing your story.
Lawsuit update: As is common for legal procedures, the lawsuit is progressing, albeit slowly. Our lawyers are working hard to address all Workday transition issues raised but need significant data from the State before proceeding. Depositions are scheduled, and the state is providing some of the data needed to move the case along. Our attorneys are filing motions as needed to get the state to comply with requests for additional information.