When trying to access an employee record and the error message Employee record file is locked for editing, pops up, it means that the connection to the server was lost and the employee record is now locked.
Compacting the database will solve this issue.
Close the error message and the screen you are currently working on.
Make sure all other users have exited the database.
Click on File, Maintenance, Database, Maintenance.
You may say Yes to do the backup and save it to your backup location.
Once the backup is complete, click Ok and this will bring up the Database Maintenance Wizard.
Click Next and Next as you will be selecting the default database as this is the one you are currently in and need to compact. Tick Compact Database and then Next. Once the database has finished compacting Finish and then log in and the employee will now be unlocked.