White v. State

Judy White, an employee at a state nursing home, alleged that she was transferred in retaliation for exercising her First Amendment rights after reporting suspected patient abuse. White also alleged a tort claim for a wrongful transfer in violation of public policy. The trial court dismissed her claims and White appeals. Because reports of suspected patient abuse are matters of public concern and because the State’s workplace interests do not outweigh White’s interest in reporting the suspected patient abuse, we reverse the trial court and remand in part. Furthermore, because the tort cause…