Disclaimer: The content provided below is for informational purposes only and does not substitute legal advice.
Last updated October, 2026
Kansas Employee Handbook Overview
When building a Kansas employee handbook, account for both state and federal policies. Whether all your employees are based in Kansas or only a handful are, your handbook should help them understand the policies and rights that apply to them. If you also have employees working across the state line in Missouri, review the rules for their work location separately.
You’ll find Kansas-specific policies, federal policies, and other useful options below.
What should be included in a Kansas employee handbook?
Every handbook should cover applicable federal and state policies, along with local requirements where they apply. Consider these Kansas-specific policies based on your workforce:
- Kansas Pregnancy and Childbirth Policy: Employers covered by the Kansas Act Against Discrimination generally have at least four employees. They must treat pregnancy- and childbirth-related disabilities like other temporary disabilities under their leave and benefits policies. Kansas rules also address a reasonable period of leave after childbirth and reinstatement when an employee gives timely notice of an intent to return. Employers with at least 15 employees should also address reasonable accommodations under the federal Pregnant Workers Fairness Act. Kansas regulation, state coverage, and federal guidance
- Kansas Volunteer Emergency Responder Policy: Employers may not discharge employees because they perform duties as volunteer firefighters, certified emergency medical service providers, or volunteer reserve or part-time law enforcement officers. This protection does not apply when the employee works for that employer as a full-time firefighter or law enforcement officer. Kansas Statutes §44-131
- Kansas Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Leave Policy: Employees who are victims may use accrued paid leave—or unpaid leave if paid leave is unavailable—for up to eight days per calendar year to seek protection, medical care, victim services, or to attend related court proceedings. The law includes notice, documentation, confidentiality, and anti-retaliation protections. Kansas Statutes §44-1132
- Kansas Voting Leave Policy: An employee entitled to vote in a Kansas election may take up to two consecutive hours while polls are open, reduced by available voting time before or after the employee’s shift. The employer may choose the time, other than the employee’s regular lunch period, and may not deduct wages or impose a penalty for the absence. Kansas Statutes §25-418
- Kansas Final Paycheck Policy: Whether an employee quits or is discharged, earned wages must be paid no later than the next regular payday, through the usual pay method or by mail if the employee requests it. Kansas Statutes §44-315
- Kansas Jury Duty Policy: Employers must allow time off for jury duty, though they do not have to pay for it. They may not discharge or threaten to discharge a permanent employee because of jury service or related attendance in a Kansas court. Kansas Department of Labor and Kansas Statutes §43-173
Federal Policies
Federal requirements depend on factors such as employer size, industry, and workforce. The following policies provide a starting point; tailor them to the laws that cover your business.
Core federal policies
- Equal Employment Opportunity and Anti-Discrimination Policy, including applicable Kansas protections
- Anti-Harassment and Complaint Procedure
- Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Policy, if covered
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Reasonable Accommodation Policy, if covered
- Military Service Leave (USERRA)
- Wage and Hour Compliance Policy (FLSA)
- At-Will Employment Notice
- Federal contractor policies, if applicable
Highly recommended policies
- Workplace Violence Prevention Policy
- Code of Conduct Policy
- Nursing Parents Policy
- Conflict of Interest and Business Ethics
- Disciplinary Procedures
- Use of Company Property
- Employee Classification and Pay Practices
- Health and Safety Policy
- Confidential Company Information
- Open Door Policy
- Receipt of Non-Harassment Policy
- Use of Communication and Computer Systems
- Workplace Searches and Inspections
Additional policies to include
- Industry-specific policies
- Sick Leave, Vacation Leave, and PTO Policy—Kansas employers must make wage-related leave policies available to employees upon request
- Company Vehicles Policy
- Punctuality and Attendance
- Benefits
- Working Schedule
- Employment Records
- Smoking
- Overtime
- Performance Reviews
- Social Media Policy
- Remote Work Policy
- Introductory Period Policy
- References
- Hiring Relatives and Significant Others
- Business Expense Reimbursement
Explore available policies in the handbook builder.
Poster Requirements
Labor law posters help employees understand their workplace rights. Your required notices depend on the laws that cover your business, so check both state and federal requirements.
Why Should I Care About Displaying Posters?
Employers must display applicable, current notices where employees—and, for some notices, job applicants—can readily see them. Missing a required poster can lead to enforcement problems and leave workers without important information about their rights.
What Are the Requirements for Displaying Labor Law Posters?
Display required physical posters conspicuously at each covered worksite. Electronic posting rules vary by notice. For some federal notices, an electronic version can supplement a physical poster; electronic-only posting may be sufficient for a fully remote workforce if workers have continuous, easy access and the other conditions are met. U.S. Department of Labor electronic-posting guidance
What Labor Law Posters Do I Need to Display?
Check the requirements for your business rather than assuming every poster applies. Federal and Kansas agencies provide individual notices for free.
- Federal Poster Requirements: Industry, employer size, and other factors affect which federal posters you need. The U.S. Department of Labor’s FirstStep Poster Advisor can help you identify applicable federal notices.
- Kansas Labor Law Poster Requirements: The Kansas Department of Labor lists free workplace posters, including links to notices from other agencies. Check which ones apply to your business and use the current versions.
How to create a Kansas Employee Handbook?
An employee handbook is more than a formality. It gives your team a clear place to find company policies and helps you account for the federal, Kansas, and applicable local rules that affect your workplace.
You could draft every policy yourself or ask an attorney to build the handbook from scratch. Handbooks.io offers another way to get started: answer a short set of questions about your company, choose the policies you need, and create an editable handbook you can maintain as your business changes. Let’s build this thing!
Get started on building your handbook
Creating a handbook starts with a few questions about your company, such as:
- How many employees do you have?
- Do you have employees in multiple states?
- Do you have an introductory period for new employees?
- Do you offer paid holidays?
- What is your payroll schedule?