Farmers Group, Inc. v. Lee

Beier, J.:

This case arises out of a dispute between Terry Lee and his former employer, Farmers Group, Inc., and its related entities (Farmers). It requires us to decide whether Kansas public policy permits an employer to buy a former employee’s silence about nonconfidential matters and thus prevent the employee from testifying on behalf of or otherwise assisting third parties who bring claims against the employer.

Lee worked for Farmers as a branch claims manager and a regional liability claims manager. At the time Lee left the company in spring 1994, he dismissed a charge against Farmers…