How To Fix PE686 - Assignment not permitted because employee & is not locked

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: PE - Shift Planning: Messages

• Message number: 686

• Message text: Assignment not permitted because employee & is not locked

Self-Explanatory Message

Since SAP believes that this specific error message is 'self-explanatory,' no more information has been given.The majority of messages in the SAP system have a message text, however this is frequently insufficient to comprehend or resolve the problem.

To make things easier, more detailed information is frequently added to describe the issue, how to fix it, and the necessary steps or configuration modifications.

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message PE686 - Assignment not permitted because employee & is not locked ?

  The SAP error message PE686 indicates that an assignment is not permitted because the specified employee is not locked. This typically occurs in the context of personnel administration or organizational management when trying to assign an employee to a position or organizational unit.
  Cause:
  The error message PE686 usually arises due to one of the following reasons:
  
  Employee Status: The employee may be in a status that does not allow for assignments, such as being inactive or terminated.
  Locking Mechanism: The employee record may be locked for editing due to ongoing processes, such as payroll processing or other administrative tasks.
  Authorization Issues: The user attempting to make the assignment may not have the necessary authorizations to perform the action on the employee's record.
  Data Consistency: There may be inconsistencies in the employee's data that prevent the assignment from being processed.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve the PE686 error, you can take the following steps:
  
  Check Employee Status: Verify the current status of the employee in the system. Ensure that the employee is active and eligible for assignment.
  Unlock Employee Record: If the employee record is locked, you may need to unlock it. This can typically be done by an administrator or HR personnel with the appropriate permissions.
  Review Authorizations: Ensure that the user attempting the assignment has the necessary authorizations to make changes to the employee's record.
  Data Validation: Check for any inconsistencies or missing data in the employee's record that may be causing the issue. Correct any discrepancies found.
  Consult with IT or SAP Support: If the issue persists, it may be necessary to consult with your IT department or SAP support for further assistance.
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: You may use transaction codes like PA20 (Display HR Master Data) or PA30 (Maintain HR Master Data) to check the employee's status and details.
  Authorization Objects: Review the relevant authorization objects (e.g., P_ORGIN, P_PERNR) to ensure that the user has the necessary permissions.
  SAP Notes: Check for any relevant SAP Notes that may address this specific error or provide additional troubleshooting steps.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify the cause of the PE686 error and implement the appropriate solution.