How To Fix 5N052 - Employee does NOT belong to target group; this selection is invalid

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: 5N - HR NL: Error Messages for Infotype Module Pools (NL)

• Message number: 052

• Message text: Employee does NOT belong to target group; this selection is invalid

What causes this issue?

The employee has chosen to belong to the target group. This selection
is invalid, because he or she and his or her parents do not belong to
the target group countries.

System Response

The system issues an error message and will not allow you to continue with this transaction until the error is resolved.

How to fix this error?

Procedure for System Administrators

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message 5N052 - Employee does NOT belong to target group; this selection is invalid ?

  The SAP error message 5N052, which states "Employee does NOT belong to target group; this selection is invalid," typically occurs in the context of personnel administration or payroll processing when an attempt is made to assign an employee to a target group that they do not belong to. This can happen in various scenarios, such as when processing payroll, managing employee benefits, or during reporting.
  Cause:
  
  Incorrect Target Group Assignment: The employee may not be assigned to the target group that is being referenced in the transaction.
  Configuration Issues: The target group may not be correctly configured in the system, or the employee's data may not meet the criteria for inclusion in that target group.
  Data Entry Errors: There may be a mistake in the data entry, such as selecting the wrong employee or target group.
  Employee Status: The employee's status (e.g., inactive, terminated) may prevent them from being included in the target group.
  
  Solution:
  
  Check Employee Assignment: Verify that the employee is correctly assigned to the target group. This can be done by checking the employee's master data in the SAP system.
  Review Target Group Configuration: Ensure that the target group is properly configured in the system. This may involve checking the criteria used to define the target group and ensuring that the employee meets those criteria.
  Correct Data Entry: Double-check the transaction to ensure that the correct employee and target group are selected.
  Update Employee Status: If the employee's status is causing the issue, consider updating their status if appropriate (e.g., reactivating a terminated employee if they are being rehired).
  Consult Documentation: Refer to SAP documentation or help resources for specific details on how target groups are defined and managed in your organization's SAP system.
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes that may be used to manage employee data and target groups, such as PA30 (Maintain HR Master Data) or PA20 (Display HR Master Data).
  Authorization Issues: Ensure that you have the necessary authorizations to view and modify employee data and target groups.
  SAP Notes: Check for any SAP Notes related to this error message, as they may provide additional insights or patches that address known issues.
  Support: If the issue persists, consider reaching out to your SAP support team or consulting with an SAP expert for further assistance.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify the cause of the error and implement a solution to resolve it.