Tennessee Supreme Court rules on whistleblower case
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – The Tennessee Supreme Court has ruled that an employee can’t qualify as a whistleblower unless the employer’s illegal activity is reported to someone other than the wrongdoer.
The state’s highest court said on Friday that the reporting may have to take place outside the employee’s company.
The decision upholds a lower court’s decision to dismiss the case of a horse groomer in Obion County who claimed that he was fired for complaining about the care he received after being kicked in the head by a Tennessee Walking Horse.
Charles Haynes alleged that the owner of Formac Stables refused to provide proper medical care and forced him to allow a veterinarian to seal the wound with horse sutures. Hayes said he was fired after complaining to the owner of severe headaches afterward.
