Issue/Symptom/Question

An error indicating the presence of net zero checks is preventing Gross to Net from finishing.

Environment

Time/Equipment/Production Units Entry screen
Payroll> Time Entry> Time Equipment Production Units Entry 

Distribute Timecards
Payroll>Payroll Check Processing > Distribute Timecards

Gross to Net Processing
Payroll> Payroll Check Processing>  Gross to Net Processing

Create Payroll Check File
Payroll> Payroll Check Processing> Create Payroll Check File

Void Checks
Payroll> Void Checks/Direct Deposits> Void Checks

Resolution/Fix/Answer

• Exit out of the Gross to Net window by selecting "Ok" to the error
• Create a new timecard for the employee mentioned in the error
• The time card should contain an amount of "Other Pay" sufficient to make that employees net pay  positive for the period which gross to net is being ran
• Distribute the timecard
• Pick up the stalled Gross to Net Process
  Note: to do this simply enter the Gross to Net Processing screen and run gross to net for the relevant Pay Group/Period End date
• Finish the Payroll Run by issuing the checks
• Void the Check which was Net Zero
  Note: Make sure to void the check and labor distribution
• At this point you are able to diagnose the cause of the net zero condition and make the appropriate changes to prevent the error.
• Once the issue has been diagnosed and addressed, run payroll for the Employee whose check was voided.

Cause 

Several things can cause a net zero check the most common are: A deduction taken in excess of wages, or withholding triggered by Penta's auto correction functionality (I.e. a manual check adjustment has been made to taxable wages but not withholding, in this case Penta attempts to catch up on the withholding in the 1st check subsequent to the adjustment).