Arkansas Jury Instruction — 1.1.2 Public Employee First Amendment Claim Discharge — Failure To Promote Political Disloyalty — Key Employee Keywords: Arkansas, jury instruction, public employee, First Amendment claim, discharge, failure to promote, political disloyalty, key employee Description: The Arkansas Jury Instruction — 1.1.2 deals with a public employee's First Amendment claim of discharge due to failure to promote political disloyalty. This instruction is relevant in cases where a public employee believes they were terminated or not promoted based on their political affiliations or expression, violating their rights under the First Amendment. In order to establish a claim under this instruction, the plaintiff, who is typically the public employee, must prove the following elements: 1. Public Employee Status: The claimant must demonstrate that they were employed in a public position within the state of Arkansas. This can include positions in government agencies, departments, or other publicly-funded entities. 2. First Amendment Protection: The claimant must establish that their political affiliation or expression is protected under the First Amendment. This means that their beliefs or opinions should be on a matter of public concern or interest. 3. Adverse Employment Action: The claimant must show that they experienced an adverse employment action, such as discharge or denial of a promotion. This action must be linked to their political affiliations or expression. 4. Causation: The claimant must prove that the adverse employment action was a direct result of their political beliefs, affiliations, or expression. They need to demonstrate a causal connection between their protected activity and the adverse action taken against them. 5. Key Employee Status: In certain cases, the claimant may need to prove that they were a key employee, meaning that their position held significant policymaking or confidential responsibilities that could warrant potentially different legal standards for the employer's actions. It is important to note that variations of this instruction might exist based on specific circumstances or applicable laws. These variations may address additional elements or considerations that can affect the outcome of the case. To summarize, the Arkansas Jury Instruction — 1.1.2 is a legal instruction relevant to public employees who claim discharge or failure to promote due to political disloyalty. It outlines the essential elements necessary for a successful First Amendment claim and highlights the importance of proving the causal connection between the adverse employment action and the employee's protected political affiliations or expression.