Smith v. Kansas Orthopaedic Center, P.A.

Leben, J.:

In 2007, Lana Smith began work as a physical therapist for a Wichita medical practice. After she left its employment, she sued for bonuses she said were owed to her. Smith said that the practice’s business manager promised her a minimum $10,000 per year bonus before she began work.

But Smith’s employment agreement also clearly provided that she was an at-will employee, something she has not contested, and the compensation of at-will employees may be changed on a going-forward basis. Her employer announced new compensation terms during 2008, paid her more than $10,000 in bonuses for…