Impacted by the Kronos Ransomware Attack? Here's What to Know

Kronos is a popular digital workforce management platform. Whole Foods, FedEx, Tesla, PepsiCo, and other major US employers rely on Kronos for critical business functions like employee timekeeping, scheduling, and payroll. But a ransomware cyberattack discovered on December 11, 2021, that knocked out Kronos’ services continues to impact millions of employees. 

Ransomware is a type of malicious software programmed to block access to computers. Cybercriminals use ransomware to hold victims’ files, systems, or networks hostage for ransom. To restore access, victims must meet ransom demands. 

The ransomware attack in December 2021 prevented Kronos’ users from accessing the Kronos services platform from December 11, 2021, through January 22, 2022. During that time, employees could not log in to record hours or view time off, and employers could not pay their employees or issue leave accurately. Employers scrambled to enact management services workarounds—guessing hours, paper timecards, and paying non-overtime hours with IOUs for overtime—and workers suffered immediate and significant payroll and other inaccuracies. 

The ransomware attack resulted in lasting harm, too. For some employers, digital tallies of employees’ previously banked general, holiday, and overtime hours were temporarily or permanently lost. And stopgap employer policies and poor record keeping during the attack have caused even more ongoing pay, PTO, holiday, and leave inaccuracies for workers. 

Under the law, employers are responsible for paying employees on time and without delay no matter what. If your pay was delayed or incomplete, you suffered, and you may have a claim against your employer for non-payment of wages or delayed payment of wages. Even if your employer has now gone back and attempted to fix payroll problems with retroactive paychecks and/or corrected vacation, PTO, and sick time credits, you may have a claim for money damages if your pay was delayed. 

The law provides for full payment of your wages plus additional damages when your employer fails to pay your entire wages on the regular, scheduled pay day. If you work at a company that uses Kronos, contact Morgan & Morgan’s Employment Law specialists today to see if you may be eligible for unpaid wages and/or additional damages. Our experienced team is ready to go to work for you.