Detroit-Area Deputies Paid Below Minimum Wage in Oracle Payroll Software Debacle
More than 400 deputy sheriffs in the Detroit metropolitan area have been systematically underpaid for overtime, holiday pay, and even regular wages following a problematic transition to Oracle payroll software, according to a federal class-action lawsuit. The legal action, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, describes the implementation as "chaotic and riddled with errors," resulting in some officers receiving compensation below the federal minimum wage threshold.
Persistent Payroll Failures Since 2024
The Wayne County Sheriff's Office switched its payroll system from PeopleSoft to Oracle in June 2024, and deputies have experienced payment discrepancies from the very first paycheck issued under the new system. The complaint alleges that deputies "have routinely received shorted paychecks that have omitted regular wages, overtime, holiday pay and accrued leave." Furthermore, sick and vacation balances were erroneously deleted, premium pay for holidays and double-time shifts was denied, and overtime hours were systematically undercounted by the software.
Attorney Carla Aikens, representing named plaintiffs Deputies Yonnell Haston and Bernard Muhammad, stated that despite repeated complaints to county payroll staff, corrections have never materialized. "My clients have raised these issues to the county to have them fixed, and they've remained unfixed to date," Aikens told The Independent. "We have to go forward with this action – we hoped we could avoid it – but they have to get their money to which they're entitled."
Specific Allegations of Underpayment
The lawsuit provides detailed examples of how the payroll failures have impacted individual deputies. Deputy Bernard Muhammad, who normally works extensive overtime of 60–80 hours per pay period, has seen his paychecks fail to reflect those additional hours since the Oracle implementation began. Deputy Yonnell Haston has not been paid for at least 48 hours of overtime and lost his sick days and vacation time when they were mistakenly deleted from the system, preventing him from taking necessary family medical leave.
In one particularly egregious case from nearly two years ago, a union president reported that one officer received a paycheck for just 48 cents. Despite the county's initial statement that it was "fully committed to resolving all pay inaccuracies" and had engaged "key consultants and mobilized additional resources to address the issues promptly," the problems have persisted according to the lawsuit.
Broader Pattern of Oracle Payroll Issues
This is not an isolated incident involving Oracle's payroll software. The complaint notes similar problems in other municipalities that have implemented the system. In October, employees with the Rochester City School District reported improper deductions from their checks following a switch to Oracle. Teachers in Baltimore and educators in Syracuse found errors and discrepancies in their paychecks after their counties began using Oracle software. Earlier this year, employees in Fort Myers, Florida, faced such severe payroll delays due to a newly implemented Oracle system that officials considered reverting to their previous system.
Oracle, the technology behemoth co-founded by Larry Ellison (the third-wealthiest person in the world), has faced previous legal challenges related to compensation practices. The company settled a 2017 class action lawsuit accusing it of underpaying women staffers for $25 million in 2024.
Legal Remedies Sought
The plaintiffs are seeking comprehensive relief including unpaid wages, minimum wages, overtime, and benefits, liquidated damages, statutory penalties, damages for breach of contract, restitution and disgorgement, and pre- and post-judgment interest. They also request attorneys' fees and costs, plus injunctive relief requiring payroll corrections and restoration of accrued leave.
Wayne County and the Wayne County Sheriff's Office are named as defendants in the lawsuit, while Oracle itself is not currently a defendant. Mara MacDonald, a spokeswoman for the Wayne County Sheriff's Office, said Friday's inquiry by The Independent was the first the department had heard of the lawsuit and declined to comment further. An Oracle spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the allegations.
The case highlights significant concerns about the reliability of payroll systems for essential public servants and raises questions about accountability when technological implementations fail those who protect and serve communities.
