How To Fix PYC_OFF_CYCLE018 - Employee &1 is locked by &2

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: PYC_OFF_CYCLE - Payroll Control Center - Manage Off-Cycle Payrolls

• Message number: 018

• Message text: Employee &1 is locked by &2

Self-Explanatory Message

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message PYC_OFF_CYCLE018 - Employee &1 is locked by &2 ?

  The SAP error message PYC_OFF_CYCLE018 indicates that an employee (denoted by &1) is currently locked by another user (denoted by &2) during a payroll processing cycle. This typically occurs when multiple users attempt to process payroll for the same employee simultaneously, leading to a conflict.
  Cause:
  
  Concurrent Processing: Another user is currently processing payroll for the same employee, which locks the employee's record.
  System Lock: The system may have a lock on the employee's payroll data due to a previous transaction that has not been completed or released.
  Long-Running Transactions: If a transaction takes too long to complete, it may hold the lock longer than expected.
  
  Solution:
  
  Wait and Retry: The simplest solution is to wait for the other user to complete their processing. Once the lock is released, you can attempt to process the payroll again.
  Identify the Locking User: If you have the necessary permissions, you can check which user is locking the employee's record. This can often be done through transaction codes like SM12 (for lock entries) or SM21 (for system logs).
  Communicate with the Locking User: If possible, communicate with the user who is locking the employee's record to understand their processing timeline and coordinate efforts.
  Check for Long-Running Jobs: Use transaction SM37 to check for any long-running jobs that might be holding the lock. If you find any, you may need to investigate or terminate them if appropriate.
  System Administration: If the issue persists, it may require intervention from a system administrator to release the lock or investigate further into the system's behavior.
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with transaction codes like SM12 (to view and manage lock entries), SM21 (to view system logs), and SM37 (to monitor job statuses).
  User Roles and Permissions: Ensure that users have the appropriate roles and permissions to avoid unnecessary locks during payroll processing.
  Best Practices: Implement best practices for payroll processing, such as scheduling payroll runs during off-peak hours or ensuring that only one user processes payroll for a specific employee at a time.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the error and continue with the payroll processing for the affected employee.