Kansas Whistleblower Law
Recognizes a public policy exception to the at-will employment doctrine in tort.
Court Decisions:
- Palmer v. Brown, 752 P.2d 685 (Kan. 1988)
- Hysten v. Burlington Northern Santa Fe, 85 P.3d 1183 (Kan. 2004) (Occupational Safety and Health Administration statute does not preclude employees from seeking protection under common law)
- Campbell v. Husky Hogs, 255 P.3d 1 (Kan. 2011) (adequate statute must provide tort remedies)
- Shaw v. Southwest Kansas Groundwater Management, 219 P3d 857 (Kan. Ct. App. 2009) (internal reports protected)
Statutes:
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Kansas have a False Claims Act (FCA)?
Yes. Both the Kansas False Claims Act and the Medicaid Fraud Control Act allow people to report both general and healthcare frauds, respectively, against the state.
Does the Kansas FCA have a whistleblower provision?
Yes. Under the Kansas FCA, whistleblowers can report frauds and recover “all relief necessary to make them whole,” according to the policy.
Does Kansas recognize the public policy exception for wrongful termination?
Yes. Under Kansas’s public policy exemption, employers cannot terminate an employee for reasons that contradict public policy.
