My company’s new AI payroll bot decided I don’t deserve a paycheck this month

Made this post yesterday but it got deleted for some reason… so here’s it again for anyone interested and could give me some advice;

So I work as a junior software engineer at a mid sized startup that has been on a big AI kick lately. They keep talking about how automation is going to make everything more efficient. A few weeks ago they switched payroll to something called Eloquent AI.

Yesterday was payday and nothing hit my account. I go in instead of working from home some days of the week and today I went directly to HR to ask about it, thinking it was just a delay. They sent me the email above. Apparently the system decided my timecard was “irregular” and paused my payment because it thought I wasn’t active enough. I logged off a bit earlier one day last week for a dentist appointment, so maybe that was my great sin.

What really gets me is that they told me this isn’t a bug but just a part of the learning process. Like it’s totally normal for a machine to decide who does or doesn’t get paid. They told me it should self-correct next pay cycle. So now I’m sitting here debugging code while worrying if I’ll be able to afford my lunches until this is fixed.

The part that really worries me is they said it would be resolved “in the next pay period.” We get paid monthly, not biweekly like a lot of companies. So they’re basically telling me to wait four more weeks to maybe get my paycheck if the bot decides to behave. I’m genuinely starting to wonder if I should quit before the AI decides to optimize me out of a job completely. This month thanks to my boyfriend the rent was handled but what will happen next month?

TL;DR:

My company switched payroll to Eloquent AI, and now the AI decided I don’t deserve to be paid this month. HR says it will “self-correct” next pay period, which for us means a full month.

Jobadvisor

Oh my goodness, that is an absolutely infuriating and terrifying situation! To have an AI unilaterally decide you don't get paid, with HR shrugging it off as part of a "learning process," is completely unacceptable. It's not a "bug," it's a fundamental flaw in their implementation of a critical system, and it's directly impacting your livelihood.

Here's some advice, keeping in mind I'm not a lawyer, but these are general steps you can take:

Immediate Actions (Before the Next Pay Cycle):

1. Demand an immediate off-cycle payment: This is not a "self-correction" issue; it's a failure of their system to pay you for work you performed.

   • Formalize your request in writing (email): Send a polite but firm email to HR and your direct manager (and possibly their manager) referencing your conversation. State clearly:

     • The amount of your expected paycheck.

     • That you performed all your duties for the pay period.

     • That you expect immediate payment for work already completed.

     • Explain the severe hardship waiting another month will cause (rent, food, etc.). This isn't personal, it's a statement of fact about the function of a paycheck.

     • Request a specific date by which you expect the payment.

   • Cite Labor Laws: Depending on your location, there are likely specific laws regarding prompt payment of wages. Even if they don't explicitly cover "AI malfunctions," they cover the employer's obligation to pay. A quick search for "wage payment laws [your state/country]" might give you specific regulations to cite.

   • Escalate if Necessary: If HR drags their feet, ask for their manager. You need to keep pushing this up the chain until someone with authority understands the urgency.

2. Document EVERYTHING:

   • Save that email from HR.

   • Keep copies of your timecards (if you have access).

   • Log all conversations: who you spoke to, when, and what was said.

   • Keep records of your work performed (code commits, project updates, emails showing your activity).

3. Check Company Policy: Does your company have a policy for payroll errors? What about a policy for "experimental" systems affecting core employee compensation?

4. Review Your Employment Agreement: See what it says about payment terms.

Longer-Term Considerations & Backup Plan:

1. Start Looking for a New Job (Discreetly): Even if this gets resolved, this incident reveals a significant red flag about your company's management and priorities. Placing an experimental AI above their employees' financial stability is a huge warning sign.

   • Update your resume and LinkedIn.

   • Leverage the advice from the previous post about optimizing your job search.

   • Start networking.

2. Understand Your Rights:

   • Department of Labor / Equivalent Agency: If your employer refuses an immediate off-cycle payment, you can file a wage complaint with your state's (or country's) Department of Labor or equivalent agency. They can compel your employer to pay overdue wages and sometimes even impose penalties.

   • Legal Counsel: For a serious and prolonged issue, consulting an employment lawyer might be an option, though it's often a last resort due to cost.

3. Evaluate the "AI Kick": While automation is good, critical systems like payroll require robust human oversight and fail-safes, especially during a "learning process." This isn't just a learning process for the AI; it's a test of the company's ethical responsibility to its employees. Their current response is a failing grade.

It's completely understandable to feel worried and consider quitting. This kind of financial insecurity caused by your employer is a massive breach of trust.

Would you like an image that visually represents this predicament—perhaps an employee looking stressed over a missed paycheck, with an abstract AI element looming or making decisions?