The other day I received an email that said the following:

Due to a computer conversion that happened with ADP last week, all records (year-to-date figures, etc.) were “zero’d” out and started over as of 10/1/12.

What this means is that:
1. Your “year-do-date” information on your current paystub (and hereafter) will only include information from 10/1/12 and thereafter
2. In January 2013 you will receive two W-2’s for the 2012 calendar year. One will include January-September and the other October-December

If you find that you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

My work has had a history of treating employees like numbers so I asked if there was a reason that this was happening and I received the following:

Gabe, there was indeed a solid reason for this to be done…we were hoping they could carry the information over…but it wasn’t possible.

Do you know why this could be happening?

Did you not read the letter you pasted, they converted payroll systems to a new computer, so the old system will send out one W2, and the new will send out another W2, happens all the times. I am not sure what you're your issue is ?

did you not read the letter you pasted, they converted payroll systems to a new computer, so the old system will send out one W2, and the new will send out another W2, happens all the times. I am not sure what your your issue is ?

I read the email, but everyone in the company said that this happened last year as well, and we are all suspicious. Maybe that just comes from working in a very unhealthy and shady environment.

It happens if they change payroll systems, if they change companies that do the payroll.

It does not effect anything. Also if the company has any changes in ownership it can happen

Actually, this is rather common, and, as Fr Chuck noted, usually happens when the employere changes to a new payroll system/software or changes companies with whom they contract to prepare the payroll.