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Kansas Employment Law

Kansas Act Against Discrimination covers employers with 4+ employees. Includes military service and genetic information protections.

At-Will

Yes

Right-to-Work

Yes

EEOC Deferral

300 days

Min. Wage

$7.25

Kansas State Laws (6)

KAAD

Kan. Stat. Ann. §§ 44-1001 to 44-1044

180 days
4+ employees

The Kansas Act Against Discrimination prohibits employment discrimination based on race, religion, color, sex, disability, national origin, ancestry, age (40 and older), genetic testing or information, and military service or status. The Act covers employers with four or more employees and is administered by the Kansas Human Rights Commission. Kansas does not include sexual orientation or gender identity as protected classes under state law.

Protected Classes

racereligioncolorsexdisabilitynational originancestryage (40+)genetic testing/informationmilitary service

Key Provisions

  • ✓Prohibits discrimination based on race, religion, color, sex, disability, national origin, ancestry, age (40+), genetic information, and military service
  • ✓Covers employers with 4 or more employees
  • ✓Kansas Human Rights Commission investigates and mediates complaints
  • ✓Includes protections against retaliation for filing a complaint or participating in an investigation
  • ✓Covers all terms and conditions of employment including hiring, firing, promotions, and compensation

Remedies

Back payReinstatementCompensatory damagesAttorney fees and costsInjunctive reliefCease-and-desist orders
File with: Kansas Human Rights Commission (KHRC)180 days from the discriminatory act

KS Age Discrimination in

Kan. Stat. Ann. §§ 44-1111 to 44-1121

180 days
4+ employees

Prohibits age-based employment discrimination against individuals 18 and older. Notable for protecting younger workers as well — Kansas applies age protection beyond the federal 40+ standard.

Protected Classes

age

Key Provisions

  • ✓Prohibits age-based employment discrimination against individuals 18 and older. Notable for protecting younger workers as well — Kansas applies age protection beyond the federal 40+ standard.

Remedies

Hire/reinstateback paycivil finesattorney fees
File with: Kansas Human Rights Commission6 months (Kansas Human Rights Commission)

KS Public-Policy Wrongful Discharge

Palmer v. Brown, 242 Kan. 893 (1988)

730 days
1+ employees

Recognizes tort cause of action for wrongful discharge in violation of public policy. Applied narrowly: employee must show termination violated clearly mandated public policy expressed in constitution, statute, or administrative regulation.

Protected Classes

fraud_reporting

Key Provisions

  • ✓Recognizes tort cause of action for wrongful discharge in violation of public policy. Applied narrowly: employee must show termination violated clearly mandated public policy expressed in constitution, statute, or administrative regulation.

Remedies

Compensatory damageslost wagesemotional distresspunitive damages
File with: State court2 years (tort)

KS Wage Payment

Kan. Stat. Ann. § 44-313 et seq.

1095 days
1+ employees

Requires payment of wages at least once per month and final wages by next regular payday. Provides for civil penalties, liquidated damages, and attorney fees for unpaid wages.

Protected Classes

minimum_wage

Key Provisions

  • ✓Requires payment of wages at least once per month and final wages by next regular payday. Provides for civil penalties, liquidated damages, and attorney fees for unpaid wages.

Remedies

Unpaid wagesliquidated damagescivil penalty up to 100% of wagesattorney fees
File with: Kansas Department of Labor3 years (written contract); 1 year (administrative)

KS Mass Layoff Notice

N/A — Kansas has no state mini-WARN

— days
100+ employees

Kansas does not have a state mini-WARN Act. Mass layoffs and plant closings are governed solely by the federal WARN Act for employers with 100+ employees.

Protected Classes

mass_layoffplant_closinglack_of_notice

Key Provisions

  • ✓Kansas does not have a state mini-WARN Act. Mass layoffs and plant closings are governed solely by the federal WARN Act for employers with 100+ employees.

Remedies

Federal WARN remedies only
File with: Federal courtFederal WARN limitations

KS Workers Compensation Anti-Retaliation

Murphy v. City of Topeka, 6 Kan. App. 2d 488 (1981); Kan. Stat. Ann. § 44-501 et seq.

730 days
1+ employees

Common-law public-policy tort recognizing wrongful discharge for filing workers' compensation claim. Kansas Supreme Court adopted Murphy doctrine; one of state's narrow at-will exceptions.

Protected Classes

workplace_safety

Key Provisions

  • ✓Common-law public-policy tort recognizing wrongful discharge for filing workers' compensation claim. Kansas Supreme Court adopted Murphy doctrine; one of state's narrow at-will exceptions.

Remedies

Compensatory damageslost wagespunitive damages
File with: State court2 years (tort)

Federal Laws That Apply in Kansas

These federal statutes protect workers nationwide, including in Kansas. As a deferral state, the EEOC filing deadline is extended to 300 days for most claims.

Title VII15+ employees
300 days
ADA15+ employees
300 days
ADEA20+ employees
300 days
EPA1+ employees
730 days
PDA15+ employees
300 days
PWFA15+ employees
300 days
FMLA50+ employees
730 days
FLSA1+ employees
730 days
Section 19811+ employees
1460 days
GINA15+ employees
300 days
USERRA1+ employees
— days
NLRA1+ employees
180 days
OSH Act1+ employees
30 days
WARN Act100+ employees
— days
Rehabilitation Act1+ employees
300 days
SOX Section 8061+ employees
180 days
INA Section 1324b4+ employees
180 days

Check which laws apply to your situation in Kansas

Our free assessment identifies applicable federal, state, and local protections based on your specific circumstances.

Check My Rights

This information is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.Kansas laws are subject to legislative changes. Consult a qualified employment attorney in Kansas for advice about your specific situation. Last reviewed: March 2026.