Kentucky Jury Instruction — 1.1.1 Public Employee First Amendment Claim Discharge — Failure To Promote Free Speech On Matter Of Public Concern Keywords: Kentucky, jury instruction, public employee, First Amendment claim, discharge, failure to promote, free speech, matter of public concern Description: In Kentucky, Jury Instruction 1.1.1 addresses the issue of a public employee's First Amendment claim relating to discharge due to the failure of promoting free speech on a matter of public concern. This instruction is vital in guiding the jury's decision-making process when such cases arise. Under this instruction, a public employee who alleges wrongful discharge must establish that their speech or expression was related to a matter of public concern. The key focus is on whether the employee's speech addressed an issue that impacts the public's welfare and is not merely a personal opinion. The instruction further highlights that if an employee's speech meets the criteria of addressing a matter of public concern, the next step is to determine whether their speech was a substantial or motivating factor leading to their discharge. This means that if the employee can provide sufficient evidence to establish a causal connection between their speech and the adverse employment action taken against them, then their claim may have merit. It's crucial to note that the Kentucky Jury Instruction does not allow public employees to engage in any speech without consequences. Instead, it seeks to maintain a balance between free speech rights and the employer's legitimate interests in ensuring efficient public service provision. Different types of Kentucky Jury Instructions — 1.1.1 Public Employee First Amendment Claim Discharge — Failure To Promote Free Speech On Matter Of Public Concern may include variations based on specific facts and circumstances of the case. These variations could arise from the nature of the public employee's speech, the impact it had on public welfare, or the extent to which it contributed to the employee's discharge. Overall, this jury instruction plays a critical role in ensuring that public employees are protected when expressing themselves on matters of public concern, safeguarding their First Amendment rights, and fostering an open and accountable government.